#saint james

James, the brother of John the Evangelist, was the first Apostle to be martyred. He was beheaded by order of Herod of Agrippa.

The Gospels tell us that the two brothers left their father, Zebedee, and followed Jesus as soon as He called out to them.

James was one of the three Apostles who were particularly close to the Lord.

He was there with the Lord and his brother John and Peter at the Transfiguration, and in the Garden of Gethsemane.

He is known as "James the Greater" to distinguish him from the other Apostle by the same name.

The title has little to do with his function or the people's regard for him. Rather, it was a term indicating that he was the elder of the two.

He is the patron saint of Spain and of pilgrims.

Todays Reflection:

Saint James, along with Peter and John, three pillars of the Church, was a cherished friend of Jesus. They were among the first disciples to receive an invitation to follow Jesus. As such, they witnessed the glorification of Jesus at the transfiguration and his anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane. With this, they had a privileged status. Although true, Jesus, as we heard in our gospel today, could not give James and John what their mother was asking. However, Jesus offered them something more in the cup he was about to drink during his passion. Saint James, who we remember today listened to Jesus and accepted this cup. By Church tradition, he became a great servant, and he spread the Gospel across Israel, the Roman Empire, and on to Spain before returning to Jerusalem.  It is here that he received his martyrdom, becoming the first Apostle to die. By tradition, his body resides in Compostela, Spain.[1]

[1] http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=59

Today’s Spiritual Links for July 24, 2026

July 25th

James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows