25 July 2011: St James, Apostle

The son of Zebedee, he and his brother John were called by Jesus. Along with Peter and John he witnessed the Transfiguration (Mt 17:1) and the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mt 26:37). Beheaded by Herod Agrippa (AD 44), the first martyr among the apostles. The supernatural dignity of our vocation as Christians requires fortitude in our dedication. We should not get discouraged amidst difficulties but confidently go to God repeating what James and John said, ‘Possumus!’ (We can!) (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1583)

St James the Apostle
A friend of Jesus, the first of the Apostles to testify to the Gospel with his blood: St James the Greater.
St James, the brother of St John the Evangelist, accomplished his ‘vocation of service’ in the kingdom established by the Lord. Like the Divine Master, ‘he gave his life in ransom for many’. We have testimony of that at Compostela [at northwestern Spain]. A testimony of faith, which entire generations of pilgrims have sought over the centuries ‘to touch’ with their own hands and ‘kiss’ with their lips, coming for this purpose from countries of Europe and the East.
So it is that the apostolic testimony endures at Compostela and that response to the famous query, ‘Can you drink the cup ...’ of the generations is realized.
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, p269

Approaching our Blessed Mother during difficulties
The Lord has also called us. May we not give in to discouragement if our defects and weaknesses become manifest. If we approach Jesus for help, He will give us the courage to continue on our path with greater fidelity since he is ever patient and allows us the time we need to improve.
“We bear this treasure in vessels of clay so that it may be clearly seen that our power comes from God and not from ourselves.” (2 Cor 4:7) We are fragile creatures and unreliable. Nevertheless, we are capable of bearing within us an incomparable treasure since God works marvels in men despite their weaknesses.
Tradition recalls St James’ preaching throughout Spain. His great zeal for souls led him to the very limits of the known world. We also learn of the difficulties he experienced at the start of his evangelizing, and how Our Lady appeared to him to offer encouragement.
It is possible that we, too, may feel disheartened at times and baffled by the obstacles that obstruct our desires to bring other souls to Christ. We may also encounter misunderstanding, mockery and opposition of all sorts, but Jesus will never abandon us.
We will go to the Lord and be able to tell him with St Paul’s confidence: “We are sore pressed, but not destitute; we endure persecution, but are not forsaken; we are cast down, but never perish ...” (2 Cor 4:8)
We shall also seek the intercession of our Mother Mary. In her we will find the courage and joy to proceed on our way like the Apostle James.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:30-32

Message of St John Baptist to Jesus
John had heard in prison the works of Christ; sent two of his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” (Mt 11:2-3)
Why did the holy precursor send this message? He knew well that our Lord was the Messiah. He did not want to be released from prison. He knew that blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’s sake. But he wished his disciples to see Jesus, to know him, to attach themselves to him, and follow him.
John the Baptist had lived a holy life, and he was thrown into prison, apparently abandoned. The Lord did nothing for him, but he never complained. His patience was not exhausted, his faith was unshaken.
And I, who have done so little, give way to impatience, to complaints and mistrust, when I do not succeed in my undertakings, or when left alone in trouble.
Then, again, the holy precursor was suffering a harsh captivity. He was severely tried, both physically and morally; but none of this could quench the ardor of his zeal. He still fulfilled his mission.
How far am I from possessing such strength of mind, such heroic constancy! A little indisposition, a slight suffering, cast me down, and make me neglect the whole or part of my duty to God and my neighbor.
On being asked, “Are you he who is to come?” (Lk 7:20) [The Messiah promised by the Prophets] Jesus responded by working various miracles before their eyes as foretold by the prophet Isaiah. Then said, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard” (Lk 7:33).
After the example of Jesus we should show, more by our actions than by our words, that we are truly the children of God; our conduct accords with Christian doctrines. One of the greatest glories of St John the Baptist is that he was publicly praised by the Son of God, who alone can justly appreciate virtue, because he alone can see the depths of the heart.
“When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. ‘What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft robes? ... But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.’” (Lk 7:24-6)
The praise of men is worth nothing because they see only the exterior. Let us try to be worthy of approbation from him who sees the heart and our judge. To win it, let us develop the two virtues he especially praised in his precursor; ie, ‘perseverance’ in a holy life, and an entire ‘mortification’ of our disorderly inclinations.
But, is it not precisely in these things we are wanting? Like the reed shaken by the wind, we are perpetually inconstant to our resolutions, bringing nothing to a good end, gratifying our senses and leisure.
Ref: “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp467-9

• Our Lady of Bouchet, two leagues and a half from Blanc and a half league from Berry, a pilgrimage which attracts a great concourse of pilgrims. The image of the Blessed Virgin is made of the wood of an aged oak, where the first image was found. — Ex monumentis hujus loci. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of “Lac Bouchet”, Quebec (1920). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady of “Lac Bouchet” (near Blanc: in Berry, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of “Lac Bouchet” near Blanc: in Berry, France & Quebec, Canada 1920. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• “Notre Dame du Bouchet”. Blanc, Berry, France; Quebec. 1920. Photos of items from the French church. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)