James, the son of Zebedee and brother of John the Evangelist, was one of the original twelve apostles called by Jesus Christ.

His call to discipleship took place as he worked on a fishing boat in the Sea of Galilee alongside his father and brother, reminiscent of Jesus’ earlier calling of another pair of fishing brothers, Peter and Andrew. The account, recorded in Mark 1:19-20, describes how James and John promptly left their father and their livelihood to follow Jesus.

Being part of the inner circle, James was among the select three disciples privileged to witness significant biblical events. These included Jesus’ Transfiguration, the resurrection of Jairus’s daughter, and Jesus’ anguished prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Two Gospel incidents shed light on James’ temperament and that of his brother John. One, as described in Matthew 20:22, revolves around a request for seats of honor in the heavenly kingdom. Whether this request came from James and John or their mother, as some accounts suggest, Jesus’ response was the same. He prophetically told them they would share in his baptism of suffering but clarified that granting positions of honor was the prerogative of the Father.

This event provoked indignation among the other disciples and served as an opportunity for Jesus to underscore the virtue of humble service. He taught them that true leadership and authority come from serving others, a principle exemplified in his sacrificial life.

James and John, also known as the “sons of thunder,” lived up to their nickname on an occasion when the Samaritans refused to welcome Jesus. Reacting impulsively, they asked Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven to consume the Samaritans, an idea swiftly rebuked by Jesus.

James holds the unfortunate distinction of being the first apostle to be martyred, as recorded in Acts 12:1-3. King Herod, seeking to please the Jews, had James killed by the sword and subsequently arrested Peter.

This account refers to James, often known as James the Greater, distinct from James the Lesser (celebrated on May 3), and James, the author of the Letter of James and the leader of the Jerusalem community.

Photo credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
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14 COMMENTS

  3. St. James the Greater pray for us! Dear Lord, I thank you SO MUCH that my younger girl has finally found a good job after many months of struggle! I thank you for all the many blessings of my life!

  4. Pray that my daughter receives employment soon. Guide and protect my family, friends and all I come in contact with. Thank you Lord. Amen

  7. Thank you Lord, for helping my husband with his depression. He is getting much better and I pray that he starts going to church with me. I lift up to you Lord, our marriage. Amen!

  11. Saint James, bless all courageous pilgrims who attempt The Way in northern Spain, Basque territory, Burgos, etc. culminating at the remarkable Santiago de Compostella. Buon Camino! Grant them their own Transfiguration experience. Safe travels and holy solitude amidst the kindness of strangers also seeking peace. Especially those whose plans have been postponed. 20km+/day is no small feat and takes considerable physical training to reach endurance potential, language practice, spiritual discernment. Let those that strive, attain. Amen.

  12. James,(A) a servant of God(B) and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

    To the twelve tribes(C) scattered(D) among the nations:

    Greetings.(E)

    Trials and Temptations
    2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,(F) 3 because you know that the testing of your faith(G) produces perseverance.(H) 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature(I) and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,(J) who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.(K) 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,(L) because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded(M) and unstable(N) in all they do.

    9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.(O) 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.(P) 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat(Q) and withers(R) the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.(S) In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

    12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial(T) because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life(U) that the Lord has promised to those who love him.(V)

    13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own(W) evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;(X) and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.(Y)

    16 Don’t be deceived,(Z) my dear brothers and sisters.(AA) 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above,(AB) coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,(AC) who does not change(AD) like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth(AE) through the word of truth,(AF) that we might be a kind of firstfruits(AG) of all he created.

    Listening and Doing
    19 My dear brothers and sisters,(AH) take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak(AI) and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger(AJ) does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of(AK) all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you,(AL) which can save you.

    22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.(AM) 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom,(AN) and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.(AO)

    26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues(AP) deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after(AQ) orphans and widows(AR) in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

  13. PLEASE PRAY TO SAINT JAMES THE GREATER, GOD, JESUS CHRIST, HOLY SPIRIT, MY SON, GUARDIAN ANGELS, FAMILIES, THE WORLD, MYSELF, SAINTS, ANGELS, PRIESTS, NUNS, FRIENDS, ENEMIES, THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS. AMEN

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