2 Cor 4:7-15 / Matthew 20:20-28
The first martyr of the early Church was St. Stephen. He was only a deacon when he was seized by his persecutors, questioned and then dragged out to be stoned to death.
A great persecution against the Church followed after that. It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
This is the James, whose feastday we are celebrating today, as the Church remembers and honours him.
Herod did not randomly choose James to be executed. James was the head of the church in Jerusalem.
So by putting James to death, Herod was sending a message to the early church, that killing church leaders meant nothing to him and that he will continue to do so.
So James had his seat of authority in the church of Jerusalem. It was an honour bestowed upon him.
But he was also willing to drink the cup that Jesus drank, the cup of suffering and death.
In the end, James followed his Master who came, not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
May the martyrdom of St. James and the celebration of his feastday bring us blessings from the Lord and give us the courage to follow Jesus to offer our lives in loving service of others.