SERVICE IS THE KEY TO TRUE GREATNESS ( HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF ST. JAMES APOSTLE

Homily for the feast of St. James (Apostles)

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

Service is the key to true greatness

Today we celebrate the feast of St James (Apostle). James is the son of Zebedee and the brother of John the Apostle and evangelist. Theologians have likened the mother to Salome, who is perhaps the cousin of our Lady (Jn 19:25). This perhaps gave her the temerity to make requests from Jesus on behalf of her sons (Mt 20:20-21). The apostle James is one of the first four apostles called by Jesus and by profession he was a fisherman from Galilee (Mt 4:22; Mk 1:16-20). James was among the three privileged apostles (Peter, James and John) that enjoyed special preferences from Jesus. For instance: At the raising of the daughter of Jairus to life (Mk 5:37) only these three were present, at the Transfiguration of Jesus (Mt 17:1-8) these three were the only witnesses, and also at the Lord's agony in the garden of Gethsemane (Mt 26:36-40) only these three were present as well. He and his brother John were nicknamed 'Sons of thunder by Jesus because they intended to call down fire upon the Samaritans who refused to welcome Jesus (Mk 3:17). James was put to death in the year 44 A.D by King Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:1-2).

In today's liturgy, Jesus warns against the perception of the Kingdom of God as a temporal kingdom meant for chiefs, principals, supervisors and bosses (high positions) rather than a spiritual kingdom meant for the service of humanity. This is very significant because of the world's understanding of greatness even in our times. In the eyes of the world, greatness is attributed to the acquisition of power, achievements and high positions. The act of service is the opposite of greatness which is likened to the works of servants and slaves.

This whole perception played out in the Gospel reading of today when the mother of James and John on behalf of her Sons selfishly made a request from Jesus, that he should allow his two sons to sit on the right and left side of Jesus in his Kingdom, as well as the two sons in their disposition to do whatsoever it takes to acquire those positions (Mt 20:26). This simply demonstrates the misconception of the apostles about the mission and identity of Jesus who they perceived should overthrow the Roman empire with his divine power. However, Jesus retorted that the kingdom of God is a kingdom of service when he said whoever that wants to be great among you must be your servant and whoever wishes to be first must be your slave; just as then Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mt 20:25-28)

Brothers and sisters in Christ, Service is the key to true greatness in the kingdom of God. In God's kingdom, to serve is to reign. Christian greatness consists in seeking Christ and serving him in our brothers and sisters. Let us be humble enough to seek the well-being of others in all we do.

Have a happy week ahead

Fr Remi osj