James, son of Zebedee

James  "He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him." (Matthew 4:21-22)

James. Son of Zebedee and older brother of John. “James and John were called by Jesus to follow him and be his disciples just after he had summoned Simon and Andrew, their partners, and the four who had known Jesus before, presumably at John’s camp meeting on the Jordan, joined him at once, becoming his first disciples” (Edgar J. Goodspeed. The Twelve, The Story of Christ’s Apostles. New York: Collier Books, 1962. p. 46).    

     Saint James the Greater, whose feast is celebrated on July 25 was a brother of John and a son of Zebedee.  Scripture indicates James must have been a close and respected friend of Jesus because he, along with Peter and John were with Jesus when He was transfigured on Mount Tabor, when He cured the daughter of Jairus, and again in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Jesus referred to James and his brother, John as the “sons of thunder.”
    After working in Jerusalem, James preached in Spain.  He is the only apostle whose death is recorded in Scripture (Acts 12:2).  He is shown holding his shepherd’s staff and standing on his fishing net.  In the window below are three scallop (or cockle) shells and his pilgrim hat, symbols of his pilgrimage by sea.  In the upper window denoting the Love of God can be seen life-giving water flowing from the Font of Life.  On either side can be seen a sheep drinking from the flowing water.  It reminds us of the Good Shepherd Who is constantly refreshing His Flock with the Everlasting waters of God’s Love.  Compiled by Phyllis Evans)

James, the Greater, General Audience, Pope Benedict XVI, 06/21/06