After pondering about the Way of St. James for several months, I thought maybe I was to take a pilgrimage to Spain, that beautiful trip of the mind and heart to the shrine of St. James of Compostela. But through prayer, it seems my “way” for now is to read the book of James in the Bible. St. James was one of Christ’s closest Apostles and was the brother of St. John the Evangelist. Both of them were called “Sons of Thunder” in the Bible. After reading the words of St. James, I made my own “Way of St. James” in words, taken from Scripture as a tool for reflection.

1. 1. Count as joy trials and testing of faith.
      
      
   2. Ask God for Wisdom, but ask in Faith.
      
      
   3. Let the poor be exalted and the rich be humbled.
      
      
   4. Endure trial and you will receive the crown of life.
      
      
   5. Don’t let desire conceive sin.
      
      
   6. Know everything is a gift from above.
      
      
   7. Listen before speaking.
      
      
   8. Do not give into anger.
      
      
   9. Be meek--it will save your soul.
      
      
   10. Act on the Word of God, don’t just hear it.
       
       
   11. Hold your tongue and live the word of God in your heart through your actions.
       
       
   12. Do not show partiality, treat all people with love.
       
       
   13. You fulfill the law by loving your neighbor as yourself.
       
       
   14. Judgment is without mercy to one who shows no mercy.
       
       
   15. Faith without works is dead because even demons believe and shudder, but you must have works.
       
       
   16. Teachers of the Gospel will be judged with greater strictness.
       
       
   17. The tongue can stain the whole body and send it to hell – tame the tongue.
       
       
   18. Bitter jealousy and selfish ambition are earthly and brings disorder and vile practice.
       
       
   19. Wisdom from God is pure, full of mercy, and produces good fruit.
       
       
   20. Your passions and desires cause war.
       
       
   21. You ask for things wrongly when you spend time asking for your own desires.
       
       
   22. Friendship with the world puts you in enmity with God.
       
       
   23. God gives grace to the humble.
       
       
   24. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.
       
       
   25. Purify your hearts.
       
       
   26. Do not speak evil against another person.
       
       
   27. Do not judge your neighbor, that is not for you to do.
       
       
   28. Do not boast, life is a mist, so do as God wills.
       
       
   29. If you know what is right and fail to do it, it is a sin.
       
       
   30. Living in worldly treasures will rot you, do not layup treasure.
       
       
   31. Be patient for the Lord.
       
       
   32. Establish your hearts for the Lord.
       
       
   33. Do not grumble against one another.
       
       
   34. Be steadfast like Job, the Lord’s purpose is greater.
       
       
   35. Do not swear or take oaths.
       
       
   36. Let your yes be your yes, and your no be your no, so you won’t be condemned.
       
       
   37. If you suffer, pray.  If you’re cheerful, praise.
       
       
   38. Anoint the sick, the prayers of the faithful will save the sick and sins will be forgiven.
       
       
   39. Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, and you will be healed.
       
       
   40. Whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his ways will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

Susan Skinner lives in Tennessee with her husband and three children. She is a teacher of Adult RCIA and the Faith Formation Coordinator for her parish. She is also the author of a popular Catholic blog, “The Veil of Veronica.”