Feast of Saint James (Homily for Thursday of the 16th week in Ordinary time year II July 25 2024
Homily for Thursday of the 16th week in Ordinary time year II July 25 2024 Feast of Saint James St. James, one of the first four Apostles called by Christ Jesus, was the son of Zebedee and the brother of John. He was privileged to witness significant events in Christ's public life, including the Transfiguration and the agony in the Garden. Due to their fervent zeal, Jesus named James and his brother John the "Sons of Thunder." James carried out his apostolate in Judaea and Samaria, preached the Gospel in Spain, and upon returning to Jerusalem, was martyred by beheading under Herod Agrippa around 42 A.D. He was the first Apostle to suffer martyrdom. His remains were later brought to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, which became a renowned pilgrimage site and a sanctuary of faith for all of Europe. In today's Gospel, James and John, with the assistance of their mother, requested to sit at Jesus' right and left in His kingdom. Jesus responded, "Are you able to d