Tuesday 25th of July
St James
“Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?’
Matthew 20: 20-28
Today is the feast of St James, whose mother asked Jesus for honour for her sons in the reading. Jesus asked St James and his brother St John, “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” When they answered that they could, Jesus responded that they would drink His cup. St James, like all of the other disciples, deserted Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. However, St James was the first apostle to be martyred.
St James spread the Good news for nearly forty years in Spain, but King Herod killed him for his faith when James returned to Jerusalem. His remains were taken back to Spain by his followers and pilgrims have prayed to him at the Cathedral of Santiago since the ninth century. Thank you, St James for your faithfulness in drinking the cup of Jesus by being his loyal disciple for over forty years and even giving up your life for Him. Please help us to be inspired by your example, as you have encouraged so many pilgrims for a thousand years.