Tuesday of Week 7 in Ordinary Time
Yesterday (Monday) we began reading from the Letter of James. The letter, as a whole, seems more like an advice column responding to questions about how to live the Christian life now that the pillars are gone and the end hasn't come. In this sense it remains equally as challenging today as it did to its first audience in the second half of the first century. How do we put faith into action, today? What does the Christian life look like, today?
-avoid anything resembling discrimination
-don't forget the poor...be their champion...
-don't be satisfied with the perpetual distinctions between rich and poor
-You and God is a nice concern but Christianity calls the disciple to know all of humanity as neighbor
Yesterday the letter gave this advice:
For where jealously and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy and insincerity.
And today the letter asks:
Where do the wars and where do the conflicts come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members?
The theme of this section of the letter (3:13-4:10) is envy and where envy leads.
The antidote according to James is personal integrity, communal love and solidarity, and receptivity to God's continuous offer of grace. Why? Because jealously comes more naturally than humility and because we are fickle and we need it;)
I'd say this letter has staying power!
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