LIVE IT TODAY: Friday, July 25, 2025 | Feast of Saint James, Apostle
Greatness is not found in being seen, but in laying your life down. You were made to serve in love. Follow My Son—He drank the chalice. So will you.
LIVE IT TODAY: Friday, July 25, 2025 | Feast of Saint James, Apostle
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GOD'S DECLARATION TO YOU TODAY
Greatness is not found in being seen, but in laying your life down. You were made to serve in love. Follow My Son—He drank the chalice. So will you.
INVOCATION
Come, Holy Spirit! Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary, open my heart to hear and receive all that You desire for me. Draw me ever more deeply into the Love and Life of the Blessed Trinity!
GOSPEL | Matthew 20:20–28
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."
He replied,
"My chalice you will indeed drink,
but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."
When the ten heard this,
they became indignant at the two brothers.
But Jesus summoned them and said,
"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and the great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
EVERY DAY QUESTION
What struck you? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise?
GOING DEEPER
Drinking the Chalice
On this feast of Saint James the Apostle—the first martyr among the Twelve—we’re reminded that greatness in God’s Kingdom isn’t granted. It’s forged.
James and John, along with their well-intentioned mother, wanted to fast-track the glory. Their request wasn’t just ambitious—it was misaligned. Jesus responds not with condemnation, but with a challenge: “Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”
In Jewish tradition, the chalice symbolized one’s destiny—often tied to suffering and sacrifice. Jesus wasn’t asking about mere willingness; He was revealing the cost of discipleship. James did drink the chalice—tradition holds he was beheaded for Christ. His journey wasn’t defined by privilege, but by poured-out love.
Jesus turns worldly ambition on its head. Authority in the Kingdom is measured not by status, but by service. Not by commanding, but by giving. Not by self-promotion, but by self-emptying.
Parents: today is your chalice. Raising children, staying faithful in marriage, showing up when you're exhausted—this is the path of greatness. Drink it. Not grudgingly, but with intention. Pray over your spouse and children today. Name their dignity aloud. Declare their mission. And in doing so, model that true love always stoops to serve.
“The greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven is the one who makes himself the least. The chalice of Christ is the path of suffering freely embraced in love.” (CCC 786)
LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS
What’s My Chalice?: Where in my life is Jesus asking me to embrace sacrifice as a path to deeper love?
From Rank to Relationship: How do I define greatness? Is it more about recognition—or self-giving?
Family as Service: How can I lead my family in a spirit of humility and servant-heartedness today?
FAMILY LIVE IT
Make some time today to gather together and, going around, each share one way someone in the family has served you recently—no matter how small. Then, parents and grandparents, kneel briefly in front of your children or spouse, place a hand on their foot or shoulder, and pray aloud:
“Jesus, You came to serve, not to be served. Help [name] to know their worth in You, and to lead others through love. I bless [name] today with strength, humility, and joy in drinking the chalice You offer.”
DAILY PARENT & GRANDPARENT BLESSING
LORD JESUS CHRIST, let Your holy anointing be upon each of our children, grandchildren, and godchildren this day and week, including all to whom they are called in vocation, and all future generations! In Your Sacred Name we claim them for You! We renounce all whispers, lies, and influences of the Enemy! We pray right now that each know Your loving Presence, be forged in virtue, and be flooded with an abundance of Your Holy Spirit to live fully their identity and mission in You now and through all eternity, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother! Amen.
PARENT BLESSING PROJECT: bit.ly/ParentBlessing
GOING VERTICAL
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Just as the vertical beam upholds the horizontal beam of the Cross, so too does undistracted, dedicated daily turning to God as our lifeblood uphold and strengthen every part of life. Start with just three minutes. Wait patiently for the breakthrough beyond the noise. Let Him speak.
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