We are Able

'The Apostle James the Greater', 1618-1623, by Guido Reni (1575-1642), Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid

‘These two great saints of God, James and his brother John, were human, and had their weaknesses, but they had also their splendour. When they were asked if they were able to drink of this cup and be baptised with this baptism, there was something magnificent in their answer, “We are able”. Our Lord, looking at them with love, and perhaps ineffable sadness, said, “Ye shall”. As they stood by His side in the splendour of their young manhood they little dreamed of the things that life would bring them. They had to see Jesus dying on the Cross; there came a day when James was thrown into prison and knew that on the morrow the sword of the executioner would fall on him; John had to live through years of exile. But we know how in those two splendid men it was fulfilled that they were able to drink of the cup their Lord drank of and glorify God.

There is a time when our religion seems a completely thrilling thing, that no power could ever defeat. That is what James and John had known. But the same Lord Who has opened to us the splendour and reality of spiritual things, will surely ask us one day if we can drink a cup and bear a baptism which will be for us our own particular share in His Passion. That day, when it comes, will be the supreme opportunity of our religion and will bring its own grace with it. We shall be able to drink of that cup, and give Him glory in the day of trial’.

from Meditations for Every Day by Father Andrew SDC, 1869-1946

Grant, O merciful God, that as thine holy Apostle Saint James, leaving his father and all that he had, without delay was obedient unto the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed him: ​so we, forsaking all worldly and carnal affections, may be evermore ready to follow thy holy commandments; through the same Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. - ​Divine Worship: The Missal.