# July 25, Feast of Saint James, Apostle - Drinking Christ’s Chalice

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/catholic-daily-reflections-334651/july-25-feast-of-saint-james-apostle-drinking-christ-s-chalice
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/catholic-daily-reflections-334651/july-25-feast-of-saint-james-apostle-drinking-christ-s-chalice.md
Podcast: [Catholic Daily Reflections](https://stenobird.com/podcast/catholic-daily-reflections-334651)
Published: 2026-07-24T09:00:18+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/july-25-feast-of-saint-james-apostle-drinking-christ-s-chalice--72437191
Audio file: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72437191/july_25_feast_of_saint_james_apostle_drinking_christ_s_chalice.mp3
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Duration seconds: 434

## Resource

Read Online Drinking Christ’s Chalice The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” Matthew 20:20–22 Among the Twelve Apostles, two were named James: James the Greater, son of Zebedee, and James the Lesser, son of Alpheus. James the Greater, whom we honor today, was likely called “greater” due to his prominence in the Gospel narrative. He was the brother of John the Evangelist, and tradition holds that their mother was Salome, possibly the sister of the Blessed Virgin Mary—making James and John cousins of Jesus. In today’s Gospel, the mother of James and John expresses her natural affection and ambition for her sons by approaching Jesus with a bold request: that they might sit, one at His right and the other at His left, in His Kingdom. While her petition reveals faith in Jesus and love for her sons, it also highlights a misunderstanding of the nature of Christ’s kingship. Earthly rulers may reign with power, honor, and prestige, but the Kingdom of God is not built on worldly glory; it is built on humble, self-giving love. Jesus responds with a gentle yet penetrating question: “Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” The “chalice” refers to His suffering—His Passion and Death. It is filled not with comfort or honor, but with humiliation and sacrifice. James and John respond with confident simplicity: “We can.” Their answer, though likely offered without full understanding, reveals a spark o…

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