The Feast of St James | Tuesday 25 July 2023

Today is Tuesday 25 July, the feast of St James, in the 16th week of Ordinary time.

The community of Taizé sing Gott ist nur Liebe: ‘God is nothing but love. Dare to give all for love. Give yourselves without fear.’

Gott ist nur Liebe. Wagt, für die Liebe alles zu geben.
Gott ist nur Liebe. Gebt euch ohne Furcht.




Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.


Matthew 20:20-28


Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favour of him. And he said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to him, ‘Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.’ But Jesus answered, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We are able.’ He said to them, ‘You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.’

When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’

Jesus asks the mother of Zebedee a simple question: ‘What do you want…?’ Take a moment to name some of the desires of your heart…

Jesus teaching the disciples not to desire greatness. How does hearing these words change your desires?

As you listen again to these words of Jesus, ask yourself what would it mean for you to let go of the desire to be the greatest? What would it mean to let go of the desire to be the first?

St James was one of those sons of Zebedee. He learned from Jesus to let go of his desire for greatness. Let Jesus teach you too, why he came not to be served but to serve…

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.