Identity Crisis

Feast of James, the Apostle 

(Mt 20: 20-28) 

Today is the feast of James, the Apostle. The New Testament mentioned him along with Peter and John several times, on Jesus’ Transfiguration (Mt 17:1) and His agony in the garden (Mk 14: 33) for example. As for today’s gospel, Matthew mentioned them through their mother who tried to secure their position by asking Jesus to allow her two sons to sit at his right and left in His kingdom.

Is being an apostle identity or a position? In the words of Mark, James and John themselves asked Jesus to favor them of the right to be His right/left hand man when His glory comes. Understandably they view apostleship as a position. However, Jesus clearly explained to them to be His apostle is to undergo what He underwent, to do what He did, and above all to do the will of God without any reservations. 

Notice that in chapter 10, Matthew narrated Jesus already summoned the twelve and sent them to mission. The Greek word for apostle is “apostollein, apostolos” which mean ‘being sent’ and ‘the one being sent’ respectively. They have in themselves the full image of Christ as Teacher, Physician and Judge. 

photo c/o turnbacktogod.com

Like James, we Christians often fall to the same danger of laboring for the sake of greater position. We forget that it is not so much of laboring as doing service for the sake of the Kingdom. We overlook that ‘to be sent’ or “the one being sent’ is God’s own initiative; it’s His choice. On our part it is a privilege.

Christian life without a position will never make life less but Christian life without its true identity is not life at all. This is our identity: we have life precisely because Christ lives in us.

Let us contemplate on James’ identity as an apostle as he follows Christ until the end.