[Mercat]

Then why wasn’t James with his “mother” at the foot of the cross?

[rjsimmon]

Ask him yourself. Neither James nor Jude were there, and they were Mary’s children. Both apparently did not want to be associated with their heretical older brother. Jesus could trust John with Mary’s care and passed the elder duties on to him.

[boatbums]

Then why wasn’t James with his “mother” at the foot of the cross?

Probably the same reason Peter wasn't - too scared.