Reflection on Today's Readings and Feast of St. James, the Apostle, Saturday 25th July, 2020
Texts: 2Cor. 4:7-15; Ps. 126:1-6; Matt. 20:20-28
We all desire God's kingdom and even pray for it, but Jesus Christ says to us thus: "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the chalice that I am to drink?" Are we going to give the right answer like St. James whose feast is today. Together with his brother John, they answered thus: "We are able". Today we celebrate St. James, the apostle, in the church for living out what his answer meant; he died a martyr for Jesus Christ (Acts 12:1-2). He even left behind his words: "My brothers, consider it a great joy when trials of many kinds come upon you, for you well know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance, and perseverance must complete its work so that you will become fully developed, complete, not deficient in any way. ..... Blessed is anyone who perseveres when trials come. Such a person is of proven worth and will win the prize of life, the crown that the Lord has promised to those who love him" (James 1:2-4,12).
When they gave the answer, their understanding of the kingdom that Jesus Christ would establish was that of a temporal one. Having heard Jesus' teaching and witnessing the miracles he wrought, they thought Jesus Christ came to establish a temporal kingdom. Many of us are still like James, John and their mother today, thinking the kingdom is about temporal things such as riches and wealth, influence, position of authority, breakthrough in temporal things, fame and honour. When all these things are not coming forth we are disappointed, sad, run into despair and lose our faith. When we think like this we have lost the essence of the kingdom.
Jesus Christ tells us that participation in his kingdom entails sharing from his suffering. Hence, the first reading presents St. Paul to us as an example. He says, "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies". Through our suffering, God will glorify himself, for it shall be evident that we survive the ordeal not by own power. He says, "We have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us". The first reading also reminds us that when we believe, we also speak.
Jesus Christ also tells us that service is the key to true greatness in his kingdom. When we serve, we reign with him who has come not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a random for many. He adds that whoever wants to be the first must be slave of others; this means letting go our own rights and privileges for the good of others. Slave has no right or privilege. Hence, he tells Peter thus: "In all truth I tell you, when you were young you put on your own belt and walked where you liked; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and somebody else will put a belt round you and take you where you would rather not go" (John 21:18).
God our Father, clear our misconception of your kingdom and also help us to live the values of the kingdom. Amen.
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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