Jesus Appears To James

“After that, He was seen by James, then by all the Apostles” (Cor. 15, 7).

First Prelude: Represent to yourself the joy of St. James when he was favored with a special apparition of our Divine Lord.

Second Prelude: My risen Jesus, grant me the spirit of prayer and love for the interior, hidden life, that thereby I may become worthy of Thy especial friendship.

FIRST POINT

ST. JAMES RENDERS HIMSELF WORTHY OF A SPECIAL APPARITION OF OUR LORD BY HIS LOVE FOR THE INTERIOR, HIDDEN LIFE

In his letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul tells us that Jesus appeared to St. James and after that to all the Apostles. The holy Fathers ascribe such a distinction to the Apostle’s great sanctity, his spirit of prayer, and his love for the interior, hidden life. On account of his austere life, he was called the “Just.” In the Temple almost without interruption, James was for all a model of profoundest reverence for the Divine Majesty. He sought in prayer consolation for the painful separation from his beloved Master. Jesus, not being able to withstand his intense longing, vouchsafed him an especial apparition. “The interior man,” says the “Imitation,” “often experiences interior consolation.” If God seems to abandon him, to try him, he lovingly complains and will not rest until he has found the lost treasure.

The infinite lovableness of God has so captivated interior souls that He is their All. For religious, what a valuable asset is not this interior life! Without it, how difficult would Christ’s yoke seem to them, how bitter His chalice and how futile their hardships and sufferings! Let us not imagine that the external occupations of our vocation, in accordance with obedience, in the least hinder the spirit of prayer. Have not saints proved by their example that energy and perseverance are great aids in fostering intimate union with God even in the midst of distracting occupations, provided these be undertaken in obedience for the glory of God?

Let us beg of St. James to assist us in acquiring the spirit of prayer and love for the interior, hidden life, of which one hour is worth more than all the pleasures of earth, and in virtue of which, alone, God’s blessing will rest upon our exterior labors.

SECOND POINT

SILENCE AND RECOLLECTION, AIDS TO THE INTERIOR LIFE

To acquire the interior spirit was ever the earnest endeavor of all true children of God. St. Paul testifies this of himself when he says: “And I live, now not I; but Christ liveth in me” (Gal. 2, 20). If we desire Jesus to live in us, act in us, and suffer us to hear His voice in the depths of our soul, then we must imitate the saints. We must curb our senses. The eyes, ever desirous of seeing, are the windows of the soul, through which often death, or at least distractions, enter; the ever-open ears fill our souls with a world of news; the unbridled tongue robs the heart of piety and occasions many faults and imperfections. We aspire to being interior souls only in as much as we are modest in our looks, prudent in our words. The voice of God can be heard only when all is silent. Oh, that we might be numbered among the souls who, like St. James, seek always the presence of God, and find peace and true joy in confidential communion with Him! Our responsibility should be exceedingly great if, in religion, secluded from the world, overwhelmed with graces, we should not find Jesus in our inmost heart. How could we justify ourselves in the Day of Judgment? How many people living amid the distractions of the world lead more recollected lives than we! Will they not put us to shame on the Last Day? Let us be faithful in observing religious silence, the chief means offered us by our Holy Rule to achieve so desirable a result. Let us mutually support one another in its faithful observance by charitable admonitions, good example and prayer. Then, as Holy Scripture expresses it, we serve God in sanctity and justice, and truly walk before Him all the days of our lives.

Affections: O Divine Saviour, Whose delight it is to be with the children of men, may it be our sole delight to be in Thy holy Presence. Is there, in truth, genuine happiness without Thee? Alas, experience proves that the soul is sad and dismayed when attached to creatures, living in distractions, and wandering astray among the vain things of this world. How wonderfully are the words of St. Augustine verified, that Thou hast created our heart for Thee and that it cannot find rest save in Thee! O my Jesus, endow Thy spouses with the gift of love for the hidden, interior life, the spirit of silence and prayer, that our convent may be for us an abode of peace and sanctity, and we thus lose none of the precious advantages that religious life offers in such generous measure.

Resolution: By silence and recollection, I will endeavor more and more to foster the spirit of prayer.

Spiritual Bouquet: “What have I in heaven but Thee, and besides Thee what do I desire upon earth? Thou art the God of my heart, and the God that is my portion forever” (Ps. 72).

Prayer: O Jesus, living in Mary…