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Jesus chose three of His Apostles, Peter, James and John, and allowed them to share special moments with Him - the raising of Jairus' daughter, the transfiguration, the agony in the garden. These special experiences gave them grace for special missions. Peter was to be the rock upon which Jesus would build His Church. John is remembered especially as the apostle who spoke of God's love. James' special mission was that of being the first apostle to suffer martyrdom.
When James and his brother, John declared themselves ready to drink the cup of Jesus, they certainly did not realize the full meaning of Jesus' words. It was not any knowledge about a future martyrdom that made James a saint: his greatness lay in his readiness to accept the unknown in order to be united with Christ. His generous spirit enabled him to see the cup of suffering become a cup of happiness, a cup of blessing. The lesson of his life for us today lies in this: are we prompt and ready to answer the call of Jesus?
Lord, grant me a generous spirit. May I always be ready to drink the cup that You have drunk for us.
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DAILY OFFERING
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Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
That all citizens, individually and in groups, may be enabled to participate actively in the life and management of the common good.
Elaboration
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