Today we celebrate the feast day of St. James of Jerusalem, the brother (or cousin) of our Lord Jesus. The gospels record that he did not initially approved of the ministry of Jesus, nor did he believe in him as Messiah (see Mark 3:20-21). Later in life, however, James became a fervent believer and went on to serve as an apostle. He is most well known for being the first bishop of Jerusalem, overseeing the first ecumenical council of the Church recorded in Acts 15. He is also the author of New Testament letter bearing his name, which captures themes such as faith, generosity, and hospitality. Use the collect (prayer) of the day below and the Bible reading selection in your devotional time today, as you reflect on the legacy of St. James of Jerusalem.
Collect (Prayer) of the Day
Grant, O God, that, following the example of your apostle James the Just, kinsman of our Lord, your Church may give itself continually to prayer and to the reconciliation of all who
are at variance and enmity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (taken from the ACNA Book of Common Prayer, 2019)
Bible Reading
James 2:14-26 (ESV)
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Photo: Icon of St. James the Brother of Jesus.
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