Feast of Saint James, Apostle

“What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”

There are many wishes we can have in life. We can wish for health and happiness. We can wish for peace and goodness. We can wish for heavenly things or earthly ones. We can wish for God to protect us and our loved ones from harm. However, we need to remember that although we might feel entitled to these things, we won't always get them. We do not know what we are asking for. We do not see God's entire Divine Plan and how everything interconnects from our highest highs to our lowest lows. In the face of the difficulties which will inevitably enter into our lives, the only thing we can do is trust in God. Believe that no matter what happens on earth we will find happiness in heaven if we are willing to drink the chalice God has prepared for us.

What do we wish for? Do we truly trust in God? Can we drink the chalice He has prepared for us?

O Lord, we wish only to stay by your side always.

Amen.

Feast of Saint James, Apostle

Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Jesus calls us to service to God and to his children. He desires us to make ourselves into slaves of love, who seek nothing in return for their service but to please God, our Heavenly Master. The world does not uphold service and slavery as virtues. In the world it is better to be served and to hold power over others, but this is not what God wants us to do. He wants our bodies, minds, and hearts to be given over to His Will. Servants and slaves do not do what they want, but rather what they are called or asked to do by their master. We should keep our eyes and ears open to God’s calling so that when they do come we are ready to serve God and his children.

Do we have a spirit of service or entitlement? Have we made ourselves into slaves to God and servants to his children? Are we open to the call of service?

O Lord, give us the humility to be good and faithful servants-slaves to your Divine Will.

Amen.