CATHOLIC 4 LIFE: FEAST Of ST. JAMES THE GREATER, APOSTLE

Thursday in the Sixth Week After Pentecost

FEAST of ST. JAMES THE GREATER, APOSTLE/ Commemoration of St. Christopher, Martyr

Double/ 2nd Class/ Red – Missa “Mihi autem”

St. James, Apostle

St. James, called the Greater, preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, and Spain. On his return to Jerusalem, Herod condemned him to death: he was beheaded A.D. 42. His body, conveyed to Compostella in Spain, is venerated by many pilgrims.

James, son of Zebedee (died 44 AD) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, and traditionally considered the first apostle to be martyred. He was a son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of John the Apostle. He is also called James the Greater or James the Great to distinguish him from James, son of Alphaeus. James the Greater is the patron saint of Spain.

The son of Zebedee and Salome, James is styled “the Greater” to distinguish him from the Apostle James “the Less”, who was probably shorter of stature. We know nothing of St. James’s early life. He was the brother of John, the beloved disciple, and probably the elder of the two. His parents seem to have been people of means. Zebedee was a fisherman of the Lake of Galilee, who probably lived in or near Bethsaida, perhaps in Capharnaum; and had some boatmen or hired men. Salome was one of the pious women who afterwards followed Christ and “ministered unto him of their substance”. And his brother John was personally known to the high-priest; and must have had wherewithal to provide for the Mother of Jesus.

It is probable that his brother had not received the technical training of the rabbinical schools; in this sense they were unlearned and without any official position among the Jews. But, according to the social rank of their parents, they must have been men of ordinary education, in the common walks of Jewish life. They had frequent opportunity of coming in contact with Greek life and language, which were already widely spread along the shores of the Galilean Sea. James is described as one of the first disciples to join Jesus. The Synoptic Gospels state that James and John were with their father by the seashore when Jesus called them to follow him.[Matt. 4:21-22][Mk. 1:19-20] James was one of only three apostles whom Jesus selected to bear witness to his Transfiguration. James and his brother wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan town, but were rebuked by Jesus.[Lk 9:51-6] The Acts of the Apostles records that “Herod the king” (traditionally identified with Herod Agrippa) had James executed by sword. He is the only apostle whose martyrdom is recorded in the New Testament. He is, thus, traditionally believed to be the first of the twelve apostles martyred for his faith.

St. Christopher

Saint Christopher

There are several legends associated with the life and death of Saint Christopher which first appeared in Greece and had spread to France by the 9th century. The 11th-century bishop and poet, Walter of Speyer, gave one version, but the most popular variations originated from the 13th-century Golden Legend.

According to the legendary account of his life Christopher was initially called Reprobus. He was a Canaanite 5 cubits (7.5 feet (2.3 m)) tall and with a fearsome face. While serving the king of Canaan, he took it into his head to go and serve “the greatest king there was”. He went to the king who was reputed to be the greatest, but one day he saw the king cross himself at the mention of the devil. On thus learning that the king feared the devil, he departed to look for the devil. He came across a band of marauders, one of whom declared himself to be the devil, so Christopher decided to serve him. But when he saw his new master avoid a wayside cross and found out that the devil feared Christ, he left him and inquired from people where to find Christ. He met a hermit who instructed him in the Christian faith. Christopher asked him how he could serve Christ. When the hermit suggested fasting and prayer, Christopher replied that he was unable to perform that service. The hermit then suggested that because of his size and strength Christopher could serve Christ by assisting people to cross a dangerous river, where they were perishing in the attempt. The hermit promised that this service would be pleasing to Christ.

After Christopher had performed this service for some time, a little child asked him to take him across the river. During the crossing, the river became swollen and the child seemed as heavy as lead so much that Christopher could scarcely carry him and found himself in great difficulty. When he finally reached the other side, he said to the child: “You have put me in the greatest danger. I do not think the whole world could have been as heavy on my shoulders as you were.” The child replied: “You had on your shoulders not only the whole world but Him who made it. I am Christ your king, whom you are serving by this work.” The child then vanished.

Christopher later visited the city of Lycia and there comforted the Christians who were being martyred. Brought before the local king, he refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods. The king tried to win him by riches and by sending two beautiful women to tempt him. Christopher converted the women to Christianity, as he had already converted thousands in the city. The king ordered him to be killed. Various attempts failed, but finally Christopher was decapitated.

INTROIT: Ps. 138: 17, 1,2

Thy friends, O God, are made exceedingly honorable; their power is become very great. (Ps. 138. 1, 2). Lord, Thou hast proved me and known me: Thou hast known my sitting down and my rising up.

COLLECT

Be Thou, O Lord, the Sanctifier and Protector of Thy people: so that defended by the aid of Thine Apostle James, they may both please Thee in their manner of life, and serve Thee with a quiet mind. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth . . .

Commemoration of St. Christopher, whose name means “Christ-bearer.” He suffered martyrdom at Lycia, in Asia Minor, under Decius A.D. 250

2nd COLLECT: Commemoration of St. Christopher

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God: that we, who celebrate the heavenly birthday of blessed Christopher, Thy Martyr, may, through his intercession, be strengthened in the love of Thy Name. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .

EPISTLE: I Corinthians 4. 9-15

Lesson from the first Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

[St. Paul describes the treatment the Apostles everywhere endured for Christ's sake.]

Brethren, I think that God hath set forth us apostles the last, as it were men appointed to death: we are made a spectacle to the world, and to Angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ: we are weak, but you are strong: you are honorable, but we without honor. Even unto this hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no fixed abode, and we labor working with our own hands. We are reviled, and we bless: we are persecuted, and we suffer it: we are blasphemed, and we entreat: we are made as the refuse of this world, the off scouring of all even until now. I write not these things to confound you: but I admonish you as my dearest children. For if you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus by the gospel I have begotten you.

GRADUAL: Ps. 44. 17, 18

Thou shalt make them princes over all the earth: they shall remember Thy Name, O Lord. Instead of thy fathers, sons are born to thee: therefore shall people praise thee.

Alleluia: John 15. 16

I have chosen you out of the world, that you should go, and should bring forth fruit, and your fruit should remain. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL: Matthew 20. 20-23

† Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew

[The ambition of the two sons of Zebedee.]

At that time, the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, worshiping, and asking something of Him. Who said to her: What wilt thou? She saith to Him: Say that these my two sons may sit, the one on Thy right hand, and the other on Thy left, in Thy kingdom. And Jesus answering said: you know not what you ask. Can you drink the chalice that I shall drink? They say to Him: We can. He saith to them: My chalice indeed you shall drink; but to sit on My right or left hand is not Mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared by My Father.

Jul 25 – Homily: St James the Greater

OFFERTORY: Ps. 18. 5

Their sound went forth into all the earth; and their words to the ends of the world.

SECRET

May the holy martyrdom of the blessed Apostle James, we beseech Thee, O Lord, make acceptable the offerings of Thy people: and, since they have no worth from any merits of ours, may they be well pleasing to Thee by his prayers. Through our Lord Jesus Christ . . .

2nd SECRET - Commemoration of St. Christopher:

Receive our gifts, and our prayers, we beseech Thee, O Lord; clease us by the heavenly mysteries and mercifully hear us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ

PREFACE

Preface of the Apostles

It it truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, to entreat Thee humbly, O Lord, that Thou wouldst not desert Thy flock, O everlasting Shepherd, but, through Thy blessed Apostles, wouldst keep it under Thy constant protection; that it may be governed by those same rulers, whom as vicars of Thy work, Thou didst set over it to be its pastors. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:

COMMUNION: Matthew 19. 28

You who have followed Me shall sit on seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

POSTCOMMUNION

Help us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, through the intercession of Thy blessed Apostle James: on whose feast we have received Thy holy Mysteries with joy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ…

2nd POSTCOMMUNION Commemoration of St. Christopher

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our God: that as we rejoice on earth in keeping the memory of Thy Saints, so also we may enjoy their company for evermore. Through our Lord Jesus Christ