SAINT JAMES THE GREATER
Apostle
Feast
Among the twelve, three were chosen as the familiar companions of our blessed Lord, of which James was one. Along with Peter and John, he was admitted to the house of Jairus when the dead maiden was raised to life. He was also present at the Transfiguration, where Peter said he would build a tent for the prophets who had been glorified. James also witnessed, along with Peter and John, Jesus' fearful agony in Gethsemane.
James' burning faith won him a place among the favorite three, but he needed purifying before the "Son of Thunder" could proclaim the gospel of peace. It was James who demanded fire from heaven to consume the inhospitable Samaritans, and who sought the place of honor by Christ in His Kingdom. Yet, Our Lord, in rebuking his presumption, prophesied his faithfulness to death.
When St. James was brought before King Herod Agrippa, his fearless confession of Jesus crucified so moved the public prosecutor that he declared himself a Christian on the spot. Accused and accuser were hurried off together to execution, and on the road the latter begged pardon of the Saint. The apostle had long since forgiven him, but hesitated for a moment whether publicly to accept as a brother one still unbaptized. God quickly recalled to him the Church's faith that the blood of martyrdom supplies for every sacrament and, falling on his companion's neck, he embraced him, with the words, "Peace be with thee!"
Together then they knelt for the sword, and together received the crown.