Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Feast of Saint James, wey be Apostle
Listen for English
“Una no know wetin una dey ask for. Una fit drink from di chalice wey I go drink from?” Dem tell am, “We fit.” E answer dem, “Una go surely drink from My chalice, but to sit for My right side and My left side, no be Me go give those places. Na for those wey My Father don prepare di places for.” Matthew 20:22–23
Saint James na di brother of John, di disciple wey Jesus love, and na di son of Zebedee and Salome. Jesus call both James and John as dem dey work with their papa, dey mend their fishing nets inside their boat. Dem answer Jesus as soon as E call dem: “…dem leave their papa Zebedee inside di boat with di workers wey e hire, and dem follow am” (Mark 1:20). James dey there when Jesus raise Jarius’ daughter from death, and when Jesus glory show for di Transfiguration. Dem still mention am for some other places inside di Gospels. For Acts of di Apostles, dem identify James as di first among di Apostles wey give im life as martyr. Herod cut off im head for Jerusalem for di year 44 AD (See Acts 12:2).
Among di other places wey dem mention Saint James for di Gospels na di passage wey we quote above. For there, Salome, di mama of James and John, ask Jesus for di special favour to allow her two sons sit for His left and right sides inside His Kingdom. After she make dis request on behalf of her two sons, Jesus turn to dem and ask whether dem fit drink from di chalice wey E go drink from. Dem answer, “We fit.” Even though na bold request wey dem and their mama make, courage and holiness still dey inside di request.
Just before dis passage, as Jesus dey travel go Jerusalem with di Twelve, E explain to dem wetin dey wait for am. “See, we dey go up to Jerusalem, and dem go hand di Son of Man over to di chief priests and di scribes. Dem go condemn am to death, and hand am over to di Gentiles make dem mock am, flog am and crucify am. On di third day, dem go raise am from death” (Matthew 20:18–19). Dis na di third time wey Jesus explain dis thing to di Twelve, so e must don begin really enter their mind. Na inside dis situation James and John ask to remain close to Jesus for His mission to establish His Kingdom, even though Jesus don explain say di road to dat Kingdom na His suffering and death.
Each of us suppose learn from James and John. Even though some selfishness fit don mix with their request, courage still dey inside am. E show say dem no fear wetin Jesus talk about di suffering wey E go face. Instead, dem want take part for am, and dem ready to endure anything wey dey necessary so dem fit share for di glory of di Kingdom wey dey come.
Today, think deep about making dis kind request to our Lord. Tell am say you want dey close to am inside His Kingdom. As you dey do so, know fully say di road to dis glory na to drink from di chalice of sacrifice wey Christ drink from, sacrifice wey no put self first. We dey reach dis glory when we follow am with courage, no matter wetin e go require from us. If e mean suffering and persecution, make e be so. If e mean great sacrifice, make e be so. If e mean to leave some hopes and dreams behind, make e be so. Picture yourself as you dey walk with these disciples and Jesus for di road to Jerusalem, where our Lord go offer His life as sacrifice. Saint James go soon follow, as e go die by Herod sword. Tell our Lord “Yes” to anything wey E ask of you, and commit yourself to drink from di chalice of love wey no put self first and wey dey make sacrifice. When you do so, you go fit share for di glory of di Kingdom of Heaven.
My glorious King, You invite everybody to share for Your glorious Kingdom wey dey come. Make I enter dat Kingdom with all di saints and share fully for its glory. I choose di road wey lead to dat Kingdom, and I willingly offer my life as sacrifice to You and for other people. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saint for Today: Saint James, wey be Apostle
Readings for Mass Wey You Fit Choose
Picture wey we feature: Sons of Thunder, from flickr
