Chotard Doll

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today the church remembers the Apostle James. He and his younger brother John were two of the four apostles called directly by Jesus to leave their nets and their father Zebedee, to follow him.

James was present at the Transfiguration, the raising of Jairus’ daughter, and the Garden of Gethsemane. At one point James and John, accompanied by their mother, ask Jesus for special attention when Jesus comes into his kingdom, causing irritation among the disciples. After the resurrection James became a zealous missionary to Spain and Portugal, and his self-sacrificing service in that task resulted in his receiving a posthumous honor as Patron Saint of Spain.

The collect for James prays fervently, “that you will pour upon the leaders of your church that spirit of self-denying service by which alone they may have authority among your people.”

Beheaded by King Herod (Acts 12:2), James was the first apostle to be put to death, and the only apostle whose martyrdom is recorded in the New Testament.

Faithfully,

—Chotard