Today is the feast of the apostle James, often known as St. James the Greater perhaps because he was older or perhaps taller than the other apostle named James. In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches James and the other apostles that the way to true greatness is through service and sacrifice: “whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.”
This lesson of humility is a hard lesson to learn and accept because it seems counterintuitive. James’ mother wants great things for her sons: “Command that these two sons of mine sit one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” Her request provoked to others to ask: what about me? “When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers.” All twelve seemed to be jockeying for position of honor and glory.
Jesus patiently teaches them to think counterintuitively, by thinking not as humans think but as God thinks:
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.”
Jesus teaches and shows them that his way is God’s way:
“Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for the many.”
Jesus shows them the way of service and sacrifice. He serves them by washing their feet. He shows that way of sacrifice by his death on the cross.
Like James and the other apostles this true way to greatness is difficult to accept. Jesus was patient with the first apostles, and he is patient with us. Jesus challenges all of us: “whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.”
Image: “Christ Washing Disciples’ Feet (ca” by National Gallery of Art is marked with CC0 1.0.