Homily: July 25, 2025, Feast of St. James the Apostle (Dying to give life)

 “So death is at work in us, but life in you.”

Profound words from St. Paul. Death was at work in his life, in other words, he was dying. Whatever he was doing at that time, it was causing his death sooner than later. But his dying was giving life to others.

I grew up witnessing real models who died to themselves to give life to others. They were my parents. My papa worked hard from very early in the morning till late in the evening on our farm every day. There are no rest days for farmers because the crops need attention daily. My mother cooked all our daily meals, prepared from scratch, used firewood for cooking, there was no running water from taps, water had to be fetched from the river. You can imagine she would be cooking and washing non-stop from the moment she woke till she rested at night.

Life wasn’t easy. They worked hard to provide for their seven children; they gave their life for us. They were dying a little each day while we were growing steadily. We, their children, will never forget their sacrifices for the family. We will always remember their love and hard work which built up our strength, faith and good health.

This is how Jesus loves us. He says: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)

To die to self so as to give life to another is true love. It is pure sacrifice. Parents who love their children die for them a little each day. They give up their comfort, time, energy, and even health for the sake of their children’s well-being.

St. Paul laid down his life for Christ, for the Christian communities he formed. For the sake of the mission, he accepted suffering, hardship and death.

St. James too, who once asked for a privileged position in Jesus’ kingdom, became the first apostle to die for Christ. His ultimate sacrifice of love strengthened the faith and fortitude of many others.

Would you be willing to give up your comfort and convenience for the sake of bringing God to others?

Or would you prefer to remain in your comfort zone and just do the bare minimum, following Christ from a distance?

Can we say like Paul, that “death is at work in us”, so that life may be at work in others?

Let us pray for the grace, courage and willingness to “love until it hurts”, as Mother Teresa said. Love in a way that we die a little each day for others to live better every day.

Amen.