Last Saturday, we celebrated the Feast of St. James the Apostle. In the first reading of the day, we heard from Paul as he offered an image of the way that we hold the message and gifts of God within our frail humanity. As we know, Paul has a real gift for using images which evoke and communicate meaning. (I find the same is true of Pope Francis.)  Paul writes:

But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. . . . For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (2 Cor 4:7, 11)

The treasure about which Paul speaks is the Gospel which he has been empowered to preach. He emphasizes that the treasure abides in “earthen vessels,” and that means the human body. Remember the story in Genesis 2 in which God forms the human being from the earth and then breathes the divine life into the molded form— that is literally the story of the formation of the earthen vessels, our bodies.

Then the LORD God formed the man out of the dust of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. (Gen 2:7)

These “vessels” hold the great treasure. We hold the Gospel of Jesus within each one of us.

The use of the image of pottery helps Paul to make two points. First of all, an earthen vessel allows Paul to emphasize what is most important. Clay vessels were very common in Israel among the poor. Anyone could own an earthen jar to store water or grain or oil or wine. The vessels were cheap and, when broken, were easily replaced. Thus, the emphasis is not on the vessel, but what is put into it. The treasure rests within. Thus, we remember that we are servants of the Lord and servants of the Gospel. We are not most important, but the work which we do and the words which we speak which communicate the Lord’s presence and love. Most essential is how we make the Lord known, not what we look like or how we sound or from where we come. We do not draw attention to ourselves but to the presence of Christ in our words and actions. We make him known. Our lives pour out his message.

A second value which emerges from this image of an earthen vessel continues to flow from the idea that it is inexpensive. Our effort can be captured by how willingly and boldly we commit ourselves to our tasks. We accept the consequences of our open and consistent witness. Listen again to how Paul speaks:

We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. (2 Cor 4:8-10)

The eagerness to accept hardship and endure difficulty for the sake of the Gospel is emphasized. It was the experience of Paul, and one which he wants us to share. One who chooses to serve the Gospel and the poor cannot be overly concerned about how one will be treated so as to limit our service. What are we willing to do for the Gospel and the poor? How much are we willing to risk?

Paul invites us to think about ourselves as earthen vessels— people who are willing to carry out service humbly. As “earthen vessels,” we can recognize the poor as our “lords and masters.” They exercise influence over our time and effort. Our Holy Founders understood these roles and urge us in this service. They understood with Paul, that God has chosen the weak and lowly of this world to carry out the divine commission. Our privilege flows through our place as simple and humble earthen vessels which God fills with love and compassion. Our charism, empowered by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, urges us in this direction.

The “earthen vessel” provides an illustrative image as we consider the ministry and mission of the Apostle James.