Their obscurity does not mean their work was unimportant. It means importance and visibility are not the same thing. This truth is particularly encouraging for ordinary Christian vocation. Most believers will never become historically notable, nor is that the calling God has given them.
James therefore gives us a vivid picture of grace coming first. He does not reason his way from family familiarity into Christian faith. The risen Christ comes to him. Before James becomes leader, reconciler, bishop, or martyr, he is the recipient of resurrection grace.
The Prayer Book gathers that vocation into the image of wholesome medicine. Luke’s doctrine heals because his Gospel brings us to Jesus Christ, who forgives sin, calls sinners to repentance, restores the disordered heart, and gives resurrection life.
The Blessing of the Animals is an occasion for Christians to give thanks to God for the creatures he has made, to pray for animals entrusted to human care, and to remember our responsibility as stewards within God’s creation.
Michael and his angels truly fight, but Revelation itself identifies the decisive ground of victory: the blood of the Lamb. Angelic warfare serves the victory of Christ; it does not supplement it. Michael is not a second savior standing alongside Jesus.
Christ calls before Matthew follows. Christ gives before Matthew proclaims. The Church likewise cannot generate faithfulness from within herself.