Pew bulletin
Fr Vijay’s sermon on St. James Life
“Can you drink the cup that I drink?” (Mark 10:38)
Today we give thanks for St. James, one of the first disciples called by Jesus. He was a fisherman, a man with ordinary work, ordinary ambitions, and ordinary weakness. Yet Jesus called him, and James followed. His life reminds us that God does not call the already perfect; He calls the willing, and then He shapes them by grace.
St James was known as one of the “sons of thunder.” That name suggests energy, zeal, and perhaps a quick temper. But the same zeal that once correction was later transformed into courage and faithful witness. In James we see that God can take a strong personality and turn it into a strong servant.
Today I want to offer three lessons from the life of St. James.
1. Christ calls us as we are:
James was not a polished saint when Jesus first called him. He was a working man, busy with his nets, his plans, and his future. But when Jesus said, “Follow me,” he left what was familiar and stepped into a new life.
That is how discipleship begins for all of us. Christ does not wait for us to become impressive before He calls us. He calls us in our weakness, in our uncertainty, and in our incompleteness. The good news is that Jesus does not merely invite us to admire Him from a distance; He invites us to walk with Him.
This is encouraging for every believer. You may feel unworthy, unfinished, or uncertain, but Christ still calls you. He calls us not because we are strong, but because He is gracious. St. James reminds us that the first step in faith is simply to say yes to Jesus. So, the question for us is: are we willing to leave behind whatever keeps us from following Christ fully?
2. Following Jesus means learning humility
James once sought greatness in a very human way. Like many of us, he wanted honor and position. But Jesus corrected that ambition and taught His disciples that greatness in God’s kingdom is not measured by power, status, or recognition. It is measured by service.
Jesus said that the son of Man came not to be served but to serve. That was the lesson James needed, and it is still the lesson we need. In a world that prizes self-promotion, Jesus calls us to humility. In a world that celebrates being first, Jesus calls us to be faithful. In a world that asks, “how can I rise above others?” Jesus asks, “how can I serve others?”
This is not a small lesson. It is one of the deepest truths of Christian life. Many of our struggles come from pride, comparison, and the desire to be noticed. But St. James teaches us that the path of Christ is the path of humility. True greatness is found not in being above others, but in loving and serving them.
For parish life, family life, and daily life, this is powerful. A humble Christina becomes a blessing wherever they go. A humble church becomes a living witness to the Gospel.
3. Faithfulness may cost us, but it is never wasted
St. James is remembered as the first apostle to die a martyr’s death. His life ended in sacrifice, but not in defeat. He gave His life to the world. James shows us that discipleship is not only about beginnings; it is about endurance.
Not every Christian will face martyrdom, but every Christian is called to faithfulness. That may mean patience in suffering, courage in truth, generosity in giving, or perseverance in prayer. Sometimes the cost of following Jesus is misunderstanding. Sometimes it is the quiet daily sacrifice of obedience when no one is watching.
James encourages us not to fear that cost. A life given to Christ is never wasted. What we surrender to Him becomes fruitful in His hands. What seems costly in the moment becomes glorious in eternity.
So when faith feels hard, when service feels tiring, when obedience feels costly, remember of St. James. He did not just hear the call of Christ; He kept following until the end.
Conclusion
On this St. James day, let us learn from his life three things: Christ calls us as we are, Christ teaches us humility, and Christ asks us to remain faithful even at a cost. If we live by these lessons, then like St. James, we too will become witness of the Gospel.
May God give us the courage to follow, the humility to serve and the grace to endure. Amen.