2 Corinthians 4:7-15, Psalm 126:1-6, Matthew 20:20-28

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.  John 15:16

FEAST OF THE APOSTLE ST. JAMES

2 Corinthians 4:7-15, Psalm 126:1-6, 

Matthew 20:20-28

2 Corinthians 4:7-15

My soul's beloved, if the love of God did not create us, if we had never been born, if we had never existed then we would have no hope of perfect joy experienced in perfect and eternal union with You when this life as we know it ends and You come at the end of our earthly life to take us to Yourself. However, in this life, if we take our mission seriously, then we must be prepared for hardship, persecution, rejection, perhaps even death as was the fate of the Apostles. The degree to which we take our faith our faith seriously and live it in a world that prefers darkness, we will have to suffer, be ridiculed, and scorned.

The world cringes from calling Truth by its Name for it prefers darkness and lies - the world is a place where every twisted, self indulgent, sterile desire is touted as enlightened thought and if we are brave enough to stand up for the Truth we can expect to be cut down. This is why You said that the servant is not greater than the Master what You experienced at the hands of the world is our lot too so we ought not to be surprised. However, this is true, in the midst of sorrow we find joy, in the midst of rejection we find peace, in the face of death we find courage and strength for we have Your we know that the One who raise You will also raise us and give us a plae with You in Your Presence. You have won for us a place in the Kingdom. Grace in abundance is poured upon us and if we persevere in our witness to the end bringing more people to the knowledge of Truth then we will have a share in Your glory.     

Psalm 126:1-6

My soul's beloved, each of us are born to fulfill a mission that God has ordained for us to accomplish. Some of us are given a large field than others, talents in accordance with what we have been sent out to do are granted to us, some more than others so we are equipped. Neither the size of the field nor the number of talents determine our reward. You look for faithfulness, humility, obedience, and cheerfulness in laboring in the vineyard. We will bear fruit in accordance with our labor. We may have to sow in tears but You assure us that we will bring in the sheaves with laughter and songs of praise, thanksgiving and joy. 

Matthew 20:20-28

My soul's beloved, it is possible that just like the Apostles and their relatives we can miss the point completely. The mother of James and John like many well meaning parents can ask for things for their children that are unimportant in the grand scheme of things divine.  She wanted glory for her sons. She wanted them to be seated at Your right and Your left and wield power and authority that comes from a faulty vision of Your Kingdom.

You showed us that in order to rule we must serve. Our lives must be a reflection of Your Own - You came to lay down Your life for us. You came to pay the ransom that would set us free. We in turn are called to lay down our lives for each other in humble service. As Christians we are called to serve not to be served in imitation of You.