You may or may not know this fact. The Episcopal Church has set aside our parish's patron saint as a major feast day in The Calendar of the Church Year. Oct. 23rd is the annual Holy Day upon which Episcopalians should especially recall the exemplary life and works of St. James of Jerusalem, Bishop of Jerusalem & Brother of Our Lord. It's one of only 11 dates that our denomination has especially designated as a "Major Feast."

We're juggling the schedule around a bit for a guy who was quite "unique." According to Hegesippus, James didn't bathe, shave, drink wine, and wore woolen vestments to pray in. Those are certainly not Anglican personality traits that I care to emulate. Thankfully, James' faith pilgrimage is much like many Episcopalians' experiences in other ways though. This other son of Mary initially was a non-believer in his brother Jesus'  divinity and sacrificial manner of life. Jesus clearly didn't "feel the love" at home with James as he proclaimed the Gospel throughout Galilee and onward to Jerusalem. It isn't too surprising that James didn't just jump on board with his sibling, familial rivalries being what they were/are. Have you always supported your sister, brother, or other loved ones when they seemingly have grossly departed from the family's and local community's norms?

James had a transforming change of heart following his encounter with the Risen Christ after Easter. He became a pillar of the Early Church with special responsibilities for evangelizing to, and caring for Jews in and around Jerusalem. I assume he became focused on their spiritual and practical needs to follow Jesus because of his own initial disbelief and conversion experiences. His apostolic efforts provoked the Jewish Pharisees and Scribes to violently respond. Tradition holds that they took James to The Temple's pinnacle and questioned him about his allegiances and endorsements of Jesus of Nazareth. They consequently threw him off of the precipice when he declared his belief in Jesus the Christ as the Messiah. He, like his brother and Lord, prayed for his enemies as he was dying.

This Sunday could just be the uniquely special day for each of us to recall when our disbelief in God's miraculous, incarnational presence prevents us from receiving Jesus' love. It may be just the time for feasting us as Jesus' and St. James' Anglican representatives here in Cincinnati to more truly profess our faith in Christ's powerful and transformation resurrection. Let us strive to confront life's most difficult trials with more devotedly faith even as we commit ourselves to more robust lives of prayer and peace.

Blessings Along The Way,

Jim 

I enjoy Halloween Chocolate as much as anyone. However, this year, I'm re-thinking whether or not I should be passing out chocolates at home. I pondering and praying about this matter, not only because of childhood obesity issues but also because I have (re)-learned that African Children harvest a significant amount  of the cocoa that candy producers use to make candy that American children and adults enjoy here in the US.

You may elect to watch this video if you dare to be unsettled by realities of child/slave trade labor taking place for our consumer benefits & appetites. Here's another idea, if chocolate is something that you, like me wish to enjoy - perhaps in more just and healthy ways. Check out this "Fare Trade" cocoa provider webpage. Organic foods are more expensive, but healthier and more righteous in some ways. Here are some other possible "treats" for all of us to consider.

St. James Episcopal Church is called to be a center of worship and common life where Christ's love is visible and experienced in order to seek and serve Jesus in others.