Feast of Saint James, Apostle
Indignation is the feeling we get when someone is going beyond what is fair, beyond what is socially acceptable. Sometimes we are the victims of this transgressive behavior, other times, it is a situation that does not concern us directly which causes us to grow indignant. How dare he say that? How dare she do that? And sometimes, if we’re honest, the indignation comes from the fact that someone had the audacity to do or to say something that we’d also be tempted to do or say.
Perhaps this was the case for some of the disciples that watched the mother of James and John ask for special treatment for her sons in the Kingdom. Jesus makes this a lesson for anyone, including ourselves or any part of ourselves that might still be tempted by recognition, honor, and glory: “Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.” Simple to say, more difficult to live. A lesson for all, for those who have the audacity to manifest their desire to be first, for those who cultivate the desire secretly in the depths of their being, and for those who remain attached to a sense of indignation when they see such behavior in others.
How might we take in this lesson more deeply into our lives today? How might we be of service to others and even to the parts of ourselves that might need a bit more attention?