HOMILY OF TUESDAY IN THE 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A
Saint James, Apostle – Feast
2 Corinthians 4:7-15, Matthew 20:20-28
THEME: SITTING BY THE SIDE OF JESUS
Before we represent or be an advocate for someone, we must be ready to share his or her ideals and be prepared to share in his or her lots.
Today we celebrate the feast of St James, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ, a man of strong faith and commitment. To James and John, who desired to sit by the sides of Jesus in his kingdom, the Lord asked, “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” The answer was a strong yes. James actually lived his commitment out. He died a martyr in Jerusalem.
A prominent place in God’s kingdom comes with it own pain.
Paul made it clear in the first reading when he related their ordeals in the ministry of Christ. “We are in difficulties on all sides, but never cornered; we see no answer to our problems, but never despair; we have been persecuted, but never deserted; knocked down, but never killed; always, wherever we may be, we carry with us in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus, too, may always be seen in our body.”
May we, as individuals chosen to share God’s grace, find strength in His love so that no bitter experience can hinder us from boldly proclaiming the fundamental truth of salvation. Amen.
