A Homily for the Feast of Saint James
Friday, July 25, 2025
Prince of Peace Catholic Church – 8:00 Mass
2 Corinthians 4:7-15; Psalm 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6; Matthew 20:20-28
Audio Recording
Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint James the Apostle — one of the first called by Jesus, and the first of the Twelve to give his life for Him. The Gospel presents us with a very human moment: the mother of James and John asks Jesus to give her sons places of honor in His kingdom — one at His right, the other at His left.
Jesus responds gently but firmly, “You do not know what you are asking.” He then asks, “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” The brothers say, “We can,” not realizing that this cup is one of suffering. For James, this cup will lead to martyrdom. For John, it will mean a life of sacrifice and exile. Both would come to learn that discipleship is not about status, but about service, humility, and love.
Saint Paul reinforces this message in the first reading, saying, “We hold this treasure in earthen vessels.” We carry the treasure of Christ’s presence in our frail, imperfect lives. Paul doesn’t hide his weakness — he embraces it, because it allows God’s power to shine through.
Let me share a story that brings this to life.
There’s an old tale of a water bearer who carried two large clay pots, one hanging on each end of a pole she carried across her shoulders. Each day, she walked to a stream, filled both pots with water, and returned home. One of the pots was perfect. The other had a crack along its side. By the time she reached the house, the cracked pot had leaked nearly half its water.
This went on for years. The perfect pot was proud of its usefulness. But the cracked pot felt ashamed and useless.
One day, it said, “I’m so sorry. I spill water every day. I’ve failed you.”
The woman smiled gently and said, “Have you never noticed the flowers growing on your side of the path, and not the other? I planted seeds there, and you’ve been watering them every day without knowing it. Because of your crack, beauty has bloomed along the way.”
Like that cracked pot, we may feel broken — unworthy, tired, not enough. But God uses our cracks, our weakness, to bring beauty into the world. That’s the mystery of grace in “earthen vessels.”
This challenges the world’s view of greatness. Society prizes strength, youth, and recognition. But Jesus redefines greatness: “Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant.” In God’s kingdom, greatness is found in daily faithfulness, in quiet sacrifice, in love offered without applause.
Saint James eventually learned this. From seeking glory, he became a witness to Christ by giving his life. He drank the cup, walked the path of the cross, and was raised in glory.
And we, too, are invited to follow Christ — not through fame or power, but through faithfulness in the ordinary. Whether we’re caregivers, workers, volunteers, or simply trying to live each day with love, God works through us — even in our weakness.
As Saint Paul reminds us, “The one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also.” That’s our hope: that our daily dying with Christ leads to eternal life with Him.
So today, let us honor Saint James, not just for how he died, but for how he learned to live — faithfully, humbly, and completely for Christ.
Saint James…pray for us. God bless you.