DAILY- HOMILY

July 25, 2018 – WEDNESDAY, 16TH Week in Ordinary Time

ST. JAMES, Apostle

Feast. Red.

2 Cor 4: 7- 15 / Mt 20: 20 - 28.

St. James the Apostle, called "the Greater," was a son of Zebedee and the brother of the Apostle and Evangelist St. John, the "beloved disciple." Beheaded in 42 AD, he was the first apostle martyred. Tradition says his relics were transferred to Compostela in Spain which remains an important pilgrimage place.

FROM THE 1ST READING:             2 Cor 4: 10- 12

At any moment we carry in our person the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in us. For we, the living, are given continually to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may appear in our mortal existence. And as death is at work in us, life comes to you.

GOSPEL READING:           Mt 20: 20- 28

Then the mother of James and John came to Jesus with her sons, and she knelt down to ask a favor. Jesus said to her, "What do you want?" And she answered, "Here you have my two sons. Grant that they may sit, one at your right and one at your left, when you are in your kingdom."

Jesus said to the brothers, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They answered, "We can." Jesus replied, "You will indeed drink my cup; but to sit at my right or at my left is not for me to grant. That will be for those for whom the Father has prepared it"

The other ten heard all this and were angry at the two brothers. Then Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the nations act as tyrants, and the powerful oppress them. It shall not be so among you: whoever wants to be more important in your group shall make himself your servant. And if you want to be first, make yourself the servant of all. Be like the Son of Man who has come, not to be served but to serve and to give his life to redeem many."

REFLECTION

In the first reading Paul urges us to mirror the life and death of Christ in our lives.

Today we celebrate the feast of St. James, Apostle. An apostle is primarily "a witness to his [Christ's] resurrection." (Acts 1: 22)

James and his brother John, Apostle and Evangelist, "the beloved disciple," sons of Zebedee, were fishermen and among the first called by Christ to be his disciples. James was privileged to be at Jesus' transfiguration and agony in the garden.

In the Gospel reading the mother of James and John appeal to Jesus to give special places to her sons in his kingdom. Jesus asserts that his followers should be ready to follow him in his suffering for others. Jesus takes the opportunity to teach his disciples about true leadership and service, "Whoever wants to be more important in your group shall make himself your servant."

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY 

     Fredelito Ferrer

     Fema D. Sagum 

WEDDING ANNVIERSARY 

     Rodney & Kim Uy Yu

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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