St. James of Jerusalem

A little late in the day, but just a reminder that today we commemorate St. James of Jerusalem. We remembered this blessed saint today at both Vespers and the Divine Service. Here are the closing words of today's homily at the Eucharist:

James calls himself not the brother of Jesus, but His slave. When the Lord appeared to James on the other side of the grave, He called him from unbelief. And James was willing to let it go – willing to be given to by the Lord. In that moment James went from being a foster brother of Jesus to being His servant and His apostle.

Does the Lord offend you in His weakness? In His utter ordinariness? His coming to you in the common food of bread and wine? The Risen One meets you today and would have you throw aside all your unbelief – all your refusal to be given to. He would lift you today to the joy of being His sister, His brother, His own flesh and blood. For His family is constituted not by the nearness of kin, but by the gift of His body and blood into you with all that goes with them: forgiveness, a share in His divine life, salvation.

Force you, He never will. But urge you constantly to receive His love – that He shall do until your dying breath – until you join St. James of Jerusalem and all the Lord's family in giving glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever! Amen.