Today we celebrate the Feast of St. James, son of Zebedee, who was called by Jesus on the seashore. He was one of the three who was with Jesus on Mount Tabor and in the Garden of Olives where Jesus prayed before His passion.

In today's readings we get a glimpse of the call, the privilege and the demands of discipleship. The mother of James was hoping that following Christ would give her son some status, but Jesus reminds them that He came to serve not to be served. They must be prepared to drink the cup that Jesus would drink. Their following Him will often entail suffering. We are weak, just like earthenware jars but we carry within us a great treasure, Christ, our Lord. He is our light and our strength in all the difficulties we meet. Just as Christ passed through suffering and death to rise in glory we too like Him will be raised to everlasting life. Not all of us will be called to martyrdom like St. James, but each day we are called to make choices that often mean saying no to ourselves in order to be more Christ-like in our attitudes. Then the glory of God will shine more brightly in our world.