St. James, Apostle
Kimberly Hiles / Trinitytide, 2023, Issue 7
“Now, about that time, Herod, the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.” –Acts 12: 1-2
On July 25, Mother Church gathers to celebrate the Feast of Saint James, also called James, son of Zebedee, or James the Greater, likely an indication of greater age or height. He was the brother of the blessed John the Evangelist and a member of Jesus’ innermost circle, along with John and Peter. Because of this, he witnessed significant, intimate events in Jesus’ life and ministry that others did not, such as the Transfiguration, the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter, and Jesus’ passion and agony in Gethsemane. He is not to be confused with Jesus’ brother, James the Just, author of the Letter of James and leader of the Jerusalem community. Though there are only a handful of biblical references through which we can know this James more intimately, what we know provides insight into this passionate saint’s temperament and fiery personality.
James was a fisherman by trade, working with his brother, John, when Jesus called him to be a disciple. Upon being summoned by Jesus, the brothers immediately left everything behind to follow Christ. The below prayer beautifully captures the immediacy of his response to Jesus’ invitation and encourages our own:
“Grant, O merciful God, that, as thine holy Apostle Saint James, leaving his father and all that he had without delay was obedient unto the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed him; so we, forsaking all worldly affections, may be evermore ready to follow thy holy commandments" - (The Collect, Saint James the Apostle, BCP 246)
We learn in the Gospel of Mark that Jesus gave James and John the nickname Boanerges, or “Sons of Thunder.” Nicknames are often given by a beloved friend or family member and are often used to express affection, endearment, or amusement. So, what does the name “Sons of Thunder” tell us about these two? Is the emphasis on “sons,” “of,” or “thunder?” Or, perhaps, all three? In Luke, we learn that when the people in the village of Samaria were not responsive to the message of Jesus, James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven on them and destroy them (9:54-55). Indeed, this rings of sons of THUNDER!
Some people do not care about money, power, or pleasure, but they care passionately about honor. Do you think James and John understood that the one who would rule in the Kingdom would be One who wears a crown of thorns and whose throne is a cross? As He often does, Jesus responds with a question. “Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” He answered the question Himself: “You will drink of the same cup that I drink.”
In the end, it would all become clear. The place of honor in the Kingdom of God requires one to drink the cup of suffering, willingly suffer out of love, and give one’s life as a gift. We know from the Apostle Mark that Salome was one of the women watching from a distance at Jesus’ crucifixion (15:40) and that she was one of the women who, on the third day after that, brought spices to Jesus’ tomb to anoint Him. Encountering the angel who told them that Jesus was risen, she ran—with glorious thunder- to tell the disciples the good news.
James was the first of the apostles to receive the crown of martyrdom, beheaded by Herod Agrippa in Jerusalem on the feast of Passover. In the 4th Century, Eusebius of Caesarea quoted Clement of Alexandria about James’ death: “As James was led to the place of martyrdom, his accuser was brought to repent of his conduct by the Apostle’s extraordinary courage and undauntedness and fell at his feet to request his pardon, professing himself a Christian, and resolving that James should not receive the crown of martyrdom alone. Hence, they were both beheaded at the same time.” - (The History of the Church, Book 1, chapter 9)
“Almighty and everlasting God, who dost enkindle the flame of thy love in the hearts of the Saints; Grant to us, thy humble servants, the same faith and power of love; that, as we rejoice in their triumphs, we may profit by their examples; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. - (The Collect, A Saints Day, BCP 258)
Kimberly Hiles is a healthcare professional and candidate for the office of Deaconess in the Reformed Episcopal Church.
