The Way of St. James!

Friday, July 25, 2025

Feast of St. James, Apostle

2 Cor 4:7-15; Mt 20: 20-28

Today we celebrate the feast of St. James, apostle. 

James and his brother John were famously referred to by Jesus as Sons of Thunder (Boanerges) (Mk 3:14-17), and it might have been due to their emotional reactions and decisions. 

The Gospels reveal that St. James and his brother John were fishermen who followed their father Zebedee’s profession. The brothers were among the first people Jesus chose to be His disciples (Mt 4:21-22). This James is known as ‘James the Greater’ to distinguish him from James the Lesser, who may have been younger or shorter than him. St. James was one of the three apostles, along with Peter and John, who were chosen by the Lord to be with him during some important events: when Jesus brought Jairus’ daughter back to life (Mk 5:33 and Lk 8:49), during His Transfiguration on Mount Tabor (Mt 17:1; Mk 9:2; Lk 9:28), and while He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane before His arrest (Mt 26:33; Mk 14:32).

With regard to his mission, history reckons that after evangelizing in Spain, St. James returned to Judea to preach the Gospel to the Jewish people. Around 44 AD, he was arrested and executed by the order of King Herod. Tradition holds that his body was transported by his followers to Spain and later to Compostela to be buried in what is now the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. During the Middle Ages, his relics became a major destination for pilgrims from across Europe, leading to the formation of the renowned pilgrimage route known as the Way of St. James.

We look up to St. James for the valuable lessons he offers through his life and mission. 

1. St. James inspires us with decisiveness in discipleship. This is why when Jesus called him, he could leave behind ‘the boat’ that symbolized his security. And we must remember that James did not ask for a guarantee but trusted the One who called him. His decisive ‘yes’ to Christ is something that we are called to imitate. 

2. When Jesus asked James and John, ‘Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?’ they said, ‘Yes.’ Later, St. James justified his response through his martyrdom. Though Jesus rebuked him for requesting through his mother to be seated with his brother next to him in the Kingdom, he did not reject him. Thus, the redirected James became the first apostolic martyr. 

3. We read through the historical record of Eusebius that St. Clement of Alexandria shared an eyewitness account in which the accuser of St. James was so deeply moved by James’ final testimony of faith that he converted on the spot and was executed alongside him. Rather than calling down fire on Herod (Lk 9:54), the ‘Son of Thunder’ gave up his life for his Master. 

4. James was one of the blessed apostles to see Christ both in his glory and in his suffering. Though St. James witnessed Jesus’ glory, he stayed with Jesus in his suffering in the mount of agony. The firmness that St. James reveals helps us realize that we are on the right path even in difficulties if we follow Jesus. 

5. Today, the Camino, or Way of St. James, is a popular pilgrim destination. People from all walks of life, regions of the world, and even different faiths proudly walk the Camino. It is said that even those without a specific goal often experience a deep sense of reflection, gratitude, and prayer along the journey. It is no surprise that the ‘Way of St. James’ is about the one who followed the Way (Jn 14:6) faithfully all his life.

Let us pray that we may follow Jesus in all decisiveness and faithfulness like St. James the Greater. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar