The Story of St. James

St James the Greater

Feast day: July 25
Patron Saint of: blacksmiths, pharmacists, equestrians, furriers, horsemen , knights, laborers, soldiers, and veterinarians.

For James there was no indication this was the day his life would change. The dawn was not the bright beginning of a new day, but the end of a long fruitless night of fishing. As James sat mending his nets in the boat with his brother John and his father Zebedee, he watched in wonder as his partner Simon brought in nets loaded with fish he had caught at the command of Jesus. Was he shocked when he saw Simon and his brother Andrew walk away from this incredible catch at the word Jesus?

As he watched Jesus walk toward him, followed by Simon and Andrew, did he feel curiosity, fear, hope, or envy? Jesus did not pass by him, but stopping by their boat, called James and his brother John to do just what Simon and Andrew had done. Without argument or discussion James and John left their boat, even left their father behind and followed Jesus.

The first thing James saw after he followed Jesus was His teaching with authority in the synagogue and the cure of Simon’s mother-in-law.

We all know that Jesus was the focus of James’ life from then on. It is also evident that James held a special place in Jesus’ life.

He was chosen by Jesus to be one of the twelve apostles, given the mission to proclaim the good news and authority to heal and cast out demons. To be named one of the twelve apostles James must have had faith and commitment.

Even among the apostles he held a special place. When Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter, when all thought her dead, He only allowed James, John and Peter to come with Him. Even more important when He went up to the mountain to pray, He wanted James, John and Peter to go with Him. It was there on the mountain they were privileged to witness what no one else had seen—Jesus transfigured in his glory, speaking to Moses and Elijah, as the voice of God spoke from a cloud.

Simon, Peter, James, and John were the only ones of the apostles that Jesus gave a special name: Sons of Thunder. To be singled out in these ways, James must have been a close and respected friend of Jesus.

It is no wonder that James and John felt that they had the right to go to Jesus and ask Him to give them what they asked for. As a mark of His love, Jesus did not rebuke them but asked them what they wanted. They asked that He let one of them sit on His right and the other sit on His left when He came into His glory. He replied that they did not know what they were asking. They did not see the cross in His future but an earthly throne. Could they drink of the cup He would drink of? They replied that they could. He assured them they would indeed drink of that cup.

The other apostles were furious at this request. Jesus used this opportunity to teach all of them that in order to be great one must be a servant.

James and John did not use their best judgment when their friend and Lord was turned away by Samaritans. They wanted to use the newfound authority as apostles not to heal but to bring fire down on the town. Jesus did reprimand them for their unforgiving, vengeful view of their power.

Despite misunderstandings it was still James, Peter, and John that Jesus chose to join Him in prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane for His final prayer before His arrest.

James did drink of the cup Jesus drank of, shortly after the Resurrection. Acts 12:1 tells us that James was one of the first Martyrs of the Church. King Herod Agrippa I killed him with a sword in an early persecution of the Church. There is a story that the man who arrested James became a convert after hearing James speak at his trial and was executed with him.

James is called James the Greater because another younger apostle was named James.

Legends have it that James evangelized Spain before he died; these stories have no basis in historical fact.