There’s More to St. James Than Meets the Eye, by M.C. Holbrook

Author’s Note: Excerpt from: The Safe Haven: Scriptural Reflections for the Heart and Home (Ordinary Time Weeks 15-21). To purchase, visit Amazon or The Catholic Company, where all other volumes currently in print are also available. 

James the Greater was one of three disciples who were considered members of Jesus’ “inner” circle. In other words, he, along with Peter and John, were Jesus’ closest friends. Now Scripture tells us lots about Peter: he was the impetuous and rash fisherman who was both the first to declare Jesus as Messiah, as well as the one to deny Him three times. It is Peter to whom Jesus gave the keys to the Kingdom of God. Peter was to become the very first leader of the Church of Jesus Christ.

We also know a lot about John. This brother of James was presumably the youngest among the disciples—full of “thunder” at the beginning of his walk with the Lord, but by the end, his heated passion had transformed into a heart on fire for nothing but love. It is John who took the mother of Love into his home, and John alone is the only one among the apostles who was not martyred for the Faith. Scripture offers us many details written about John as well as by John. These words are a treasure to our hearts. …

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