The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, Feast of Saint James, Apostle, reminds us that the journey of the followers of Christ brings fullness of life, at times, ironically through our trials and tribulations.
The Reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians presents a catalogue of his apostolic trials and afflictions.
* [4:7] This treasure: the glory that he preaches and into which they are being transformed. In earthen vessels: the instruments God uses are human and fragile; some imagine small terracotta lamps in which light is carried.
* [4:8–9] A catalogue of his apostolic trials and afflictions. Yet in these the negative never completely prevails; there is always some experience of rescue, of salvation.
* [4:10–11] Both the negative and the positive sides of the experience are grounded christologically. The logic is similar to that of 2 Cor 1:3–11. His sufferings are connected with Christ’s, and his deliverance is a sign that he is to share in Jesus’ resurrection.
* [4:12–15] His experience does not terminate in himself, but in others (12, 15; cf. 2 Cor 1:4–5). Ultimately, everything is ordered even beyond the community, toward God (2 Cor 4:15; cf. 2 Cor 1:11).
Psalm 126 is a lament probably sung shortly after Israel’s return from exile.
* [Psalm 126] A lament probably sung shortly after Israel’s return from exile. The people rejoice that they are in Zion (Ps 126:1–3) but mere presence in the holy city is not enough; they must pray for the prosperity and the fertility of the land (Ps 126:4). The last verses are probably an oracle of promise: the painful work of sowing will be crowned with life (Ps 126:5–6).
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus responds to the Request of James and John.
* [20:20–28] Cf. Mk 10:35–45. The request of the sons of Zebedee, made through their mother, for the highest places of honor in the kingdom, and the indignation of the other ten disciples at this request, show that neither the two brothers nor the others have understood that what makes for greatness in the kingdom is not lordly power but humble service. Jesus gives the example, and his ministry of service will reach its highest point when he gives his life for the deliverance of the human race from sin.
* [20:20–21] The reason for Matthew’s making the mother the petitioner (cf. Mk 10:35) is not clear. Possibly he intends an allusion to Bathsheba’s seeking the kingdom for Solomon; see 1 Kgs 1:11–21. Your kingdom: see note on Mt 16:28.
* [20:22] You do not know what you are asking: the Greek verbs are plural and, with the rest of the verse, indicate that the answer is addressed not to the woman but to her sons. Drink the cup: see note on Mk 10:38–40. Matthew omits the Marcan “or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized” (Mk 10:38).
* [20:28] Ransom: this noun, which occurs in the New Testament only here and in the Marcan parallel (Mk 10:45), does not necessarily express the idea of liberation by payment of some price. The cognate verb is used frequently in the LXX of God’s liberating Israel from Egypt or from Babylonia after the Exile; see Ex 6:6; 15:13; Ps 77:16 (76 LXX); Is 43:1; 44:22. The liberation brought by Jesus’ death will be for many; cf. Is 53:12. Many does not mean that some are excluded, but is a Semitism designating the collectivity who benefit from the service of the one, and is equivalent to “all.” While there are few verbal contacts between this saying and the fourth Servant Song (Is 52:13–53:12), the ideas of that passage are reflected here.
Edward Morse comments that pride can muddle this truth of our uniqueness, especially when we tell others we are more special than they are! This can be a source of laughter. We are, after all, walking jokes. Choosing laughter over anger would be better for our constitution. And perhaps that laughter would draw us closer to God, who is also probably laughing.
The other disciples found this prideful display off-putting. It offended their own need for recognition! Our Lord’s response -- essentially that we’ll see how great you are when you are presented with suffering and model servanthood -- diffused their clamoring for a time. They would learn that they would not always pass the test, but that God’s loving mercy was still there for them, probably with the knowing smile of a wise teacher.
Lord, help us to view ourselves rightly and in a way that is ordered toward your great love and mercy toward us, which you pour out to us in our earthen vessels. And help us to laugh with you when our earthen vessels sometimes leak out pride.
Guarding the Good Seed of God's Word in Our Heart
Don Schwager quotes “The Lord sows good seeds in our heart,” by Chromatius (died 406 AD)
"The Lord clearly points out that he is the sower of good seeds. He does not cease to sow in this world as in a field. God's word is like good seed in the hearts of people, so that each of us according to the seeds sown in us by God may bear spiritual and heavenly fruit." (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 51.1)
[Note: Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome. He died in 406 AD. Jerome described him as a "most learned and most holy man."]
Meditations may be freely reprinted for non-commercial use - please cite: copyright © 2026 Servants of the Word, source: dailyscripture.net, author Don Schwager.
Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the Readings for today.
The Word Among Us Meditation: Matthew 20:20-28 comments that instead of becoming indignant himself, Jesus turns the mother’s request into a teaching opportunity. To be truly great in God’s kingdom, he says, they need to become like servants. Then he reminds them of his own example: he came not to be served, but “to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
In the same way, Jesus is patient with us. We might struggle to see how our little acts of love and service are the path to greatness. We might wonder how they can make a difference. But we can also trust that, just as he did with St. James, Jesus can make us great by showing us each day how he wants us to love and serve his people.
So how is Jesus calling you to greatness today?
“Jesus, give me the grace to lay down my life for your people.”
Twentieth-Century Contemplative Exemplars: Weekly Summary
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Anglican priest Tish Harrison Warren who urges readers to find support in the people and communities of faith who surround them.
Those who make me want to believe may not make it any less arduous to do so. They do not offer me a faith that costs little or assure me that God affirms whatever it is I already think. But they urge me to persist and to go deep, to seek a life of truth and beauty, to not give up.
They are around me each Sunday in the pews. I show up, maybe feeling angry, impatient, sorry for myself, distracted, or faithless. Yet they are there, still singing and speaking truth over me, praying for me, asking how I’m doing. We stand together and say the creed, and their voices carry my own. After the scripture is read, they say, “Thanks be to God,” and their gratitude stands in for my reluctance. They offer me bread and wine and tell me that this is the presence of God, even if it seems God is nowhere to be found. Their faithfulness makes me want to be faithful. And maybe next week, I’ll do the same for them.
We are grateful for the Spirit to enlighten our understanding of the joy and support that comes from attending to the Will of God and accept the path that will honour our identity as brothers and sisters in Christ.
