The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to accept some truths about inequality and inequity in our world and to express our gratitude for our journey in our service to the “little ones” in our environment.
The reading from the Book of James is a warning to Rich Oppressors.
* [5:1–6] Continuing with the theme of the transitory character of life on earth, the author points out the impending ruin of the godless. He denounces the unjust rich, whose victims cry to heaven for judgment on their exploiters (Jas 5:4–6). The decay and corrosion of the costly garments and metals, which symbolize wealth, prove them worthless and portend the destruction of their possessors (Jas 5:2–3).
* [5:6] The author does not have in mind any specific crime in his readers’ communities but rather echoes the Old Testament theme of the harsh oppression of the righteous poor (see Prv 1:11; Wis 2:10, 12, 20). (James, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 49 declares the Folly of Trust in Riches.
* [Psalm 49] The Psalm affirms confidence in God (cf. Ps 23; 27:1–6; 62) in the face of the apparent good fortune of the unjust rich, cf. Ps 37; 73. Reliance on wealth is misplaced (Ps 49:8–10) for it is of no avail in the face of death (Ps 49:18–20). After inviting all to listen to this axiom of faith (Ps 49:2–5), the psalmist depicts the self-delusion of the ungodly (Ps 49:6–13), whose destiny is to die like ignorant beasts (Ps 49:13, 18; cf. Prv 7:21–23). Their wealth should occasion no alarm, for they will come to nought, whereas God will save the just (Ps 49:14–20). (Psalms, PSALM 49, n.d.)
The Gospel of Mark warns of temptations to Sin.
* [9:43, 45, 47] Gehenna: see note on Mt 5:22.
* [9:44, 46] These verses, lacking in some important early manuscripts, are here omitted as scribal additions. They simply repeat Mk 9:48 itself a modified citation of Is 66:24.
* [9:49] Everyone will be salted with fire: so the better manuscripts. Some add “every sacrifice will be salted with salt.” The purifying and preservative use of salt in food (Lv 2:13) and the refinement effected through fire refer here to comparable effects in the spiritual life of the disciples of Jesus. (Mark, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)
Vivian Amu comments that today’s gospel makes it seem so easy to just cut something off when it causes us to sin.
But it isn’t easy, is it? Removing the things in our life that separate us from the unconditional love of God should be easy, and yet, we hold on to our vices, our hurts, our frustrations, our grudges, and our fears. I have not figured out why my first instinct is usually to hide in my grief rather than run to Jesus, who is the healer of wounded souls. But one thing I do know is that it takes courage to grieve well. It takes courage to let go of that which separates us from God. It takes courage to retain our spiritual flavor that allows us to live in peace with ourselves and others. It takes courage to allow ourselves to be poor in spirit by giving up all the things that prevent us from experiencing God’s love and peace in our lives. It takes courage to offer no resistance when the opportunity arises to let go.
Merciful and loving God, grant us the courage to let go of all that prevents us from completely loving God, self, and others. Amen. (Amu, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “Why not skip over such passages,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).
"This is no trivial subject of inquiry that we propose, but rather it concerns things most urgent, and about which many inquire: namely, whether hell fire has any end. For that it has no end Christ indeed declared when he said, 'Their fire shall not be quenched, and their worm shall not die' (Isaiah 66:24). Yes, I know a chill comes over you on hearing these things. But what am I to do? For this is God's own command... Ordained as we have been to the ministry of the word, we must cause our hearers discomfort when it is necessary for them to hear. We do this not arbitrarily but under command." (excerpt from the HOMILIES ON FIRST CORINTHIANS 9.1) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on James 5:1-6 is telling us that when we treasure possessions too dearly, we become self-centered and build walls around us. We cut ourselves off from him, the only One who can satisfy the deepest longings of our heart, and from the ones the Lord has called us to love.
God wants to free us from the materialism that leads to selfishness and sin. He wants to give us a spirit of justice and generosity so that we love others, especially the poor, the way he loves us. So let’s remember how fleeting wealth is. Let’s share our blessings. And let’s do what we can to make sure that the people around us are loved and cared for.
“Father, help me to find my true treasure in knowing and serving you.” (Meditation on James 5:1-6, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that James is very tough on the rich. Goods are gifted to us to share. The Wisdom sayings in Mark include a severe warning about bad examples to children and the simple. Friar Jude reminds us of the Jewish exaggeration in Mark that underlines our mission to be filled with zest and vitality to serve the Kingdom.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Author Lisa Sharon Harper who describes the diversity of the early church. At Pentecost, God brought the languages together, but not in the way we would imagine. God did not unite the world under one imperial language. Rather, the power of God made it possible to have unity in the midst of diversity. God made it possible for people to speak languages that were not their own and to understand one another.
And in the same way Jesus had broken gender and class barriers, this multiethnic, multilingual group turned its back on misogyny and economic favoritism. Peter [quoting Joel 3:1–2] explained to the crowd why women and slaves were prophesying along with free men:
In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy (Acts 2:17–18)….
In other words, all the cultural, economic, and gender barriers between them were broken down. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)
We open our minds to the Wisdom of the Spirit that reveals the true riches in the people who surround us and with whom we share our journey and fight against the distractions and temptations that lead away from fullness of life.
References
Amu, V. (2024, May 23). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052324.html
James, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/5?1
Mark, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/9?41
Meditation on James 5:1-6. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/23/973839/
Psalms, PSALM 49. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/49?14
Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Spirit Is for All. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-spirit-is-for-all/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). If Your Hand or Eye Causes You to Sin. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may23
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