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St. James the Lesser
Feastday: May 3
Patron of Hatmmakers
St. James the Less, the author of the first Catholic
Epistle, was the son of Alphaeus of Cleophas. His mother Mary was
either a sister or a close relative of the Blessed Virgin, and for
that reason, according to Jewish custom, he was sometimes called
the brother of the Lord. The Apostle held a distinguished position
in the early Christian community of Jerusalem. St. Paul tells us
he was a witness of the Resurrection of Christ; he is also a "pillar"
of the Church, whom St. Paul consulted about the Gospel.
According to tradition, he was the first Bishop of
Jerusalem, and was at the Council of Jerusalem about the year 50.
The historians Eusebius and Hegesippus relayed that St. James was
martyred for the Faith by the Jews in the Spring of the year 62,
although they greatly esteemed his person and had given him the
surname of "James the Just."
Tradition has always recognized him as the author
of the Epistle that bears his name. Internal evidence based on the
language, style, and teaching of the Epistle reveals its author
as a Jew familiar with the Old Testament, and a Christian thoroughly
grounded in the teachings of the Gospel. External evidence from
the early Fathers and Councils of the Church confirmed its authenticity
and canonicity.
The date of its writing cannot be determined exactly.
According to some scholars it was written about the year 49 A.D.
Others, however, claim it was written after St. Paul's Epistle to
the Romans (composed during the winter of 57-58 A.D.). It was probably
written between the years 60 and 62 A.D.
St. James addresses himself to the "twelve tribes
that are in the Dispersion," that is, to Christians outside Palestine;
but nothing in the Epistle indicates that he is thinking only of
Jewish Christians. St. James realizes full well the temptations
and difficulties they encounter in the midst of paganism, and as
a spiritual father, he endeavors to guide and direct them in the
faith. Therefore, the burden of his discourse is an exhortation
to practical Christian living.
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