Distraction and Temptation

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.

Example for the "little ones"

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 

For Doing the Right Thing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer the wisdom of approaching our plans with humility, wisdom, and guidance from the Spirit.

Doing the Right Thing

The reading from the Letter of James warns against boasting about tomorrow and against presumption.

* [4:13–17] The uncertainty of life (Jas 4:14), its complete dependence on God, and the necessity of submitting to God’s will (Jas 4:15) all help one know and do what is right (Jas 4:17). To disregard this is to live in pride and arrogance (Jas 4:16); failure to do what is right is a sin (Jas 4:17).

* [4:14] Some important Greek manuscripts here have, “You who have no idea what tomorrow will bring. Why, what is your life?”

* [4:15] If the Lord wills it: often in piety referred to as the “conditio Jacobaea,” the condition James says we should employ to qualify all our plans.

* [4:17] It is a sin: those who live arrogantly, forgetting the contingency of life and our dependence on God (Jas 4:13–16), are guilty of sin. (James, CHAPTER 4, 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.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus supports another exorcist.

* [9:38–41] Jesus warns against jealousy and intolerance toward others, such as exorcists who do not follow us. The saying in Mk 9:40 is a broad principle of the divine tolerance. Even the smallest courtesies shown to those who teach in Jesus’ name do not go unrewarded. (Mark, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)

Steve Scholer comments that in keeping with the wisdom shared by Ignatius almost 500 years ago, today, as we do our Examen of Conscience, let us focus not so intently on our sins of commission, but rather on gratitude for all God has done for us. To see God in all things, from the air we breathe to those we love, God is present in all. And let us see how the Holy Spirit is gently moving us toward all that is right and just.

In a letter to the Portuguese Jesuits dated March 18, 1542, St. Ignatius expressed his thoughts about the worst sin of omission, that of ingratitude:

It seems to me, in light of the divine Goodness, though others may think differently, that ingratitude is one of the things most worthy of detestation before our Creator and Lord, and before all creatures capable of his divine and everlasting glory, out of all the evils and sins which can be imagined. For it is a failure to recognize the good things, the graces, and the gifts received. As such, it is the cause, beginning, and origin of all evils and sins.

On the contrary, recognition and gratitude for the good things and gifts received is greatly loved and esteemed both in heaven and on earth. (Scholer, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “Encouraging good works done in Christ,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"We ought not be disturbed because some who do not belong or do not yet belong to this temple, that is, among whom God does not or does not yet dwell, perform some works of power, as happened to the one who cast out devils in the name of Christ (Mark 9:38, Luke 9:49). Although he was not a follower of Christ, Christ ordered that he be allowed to continue because it gave a valuable testimony of his name to many... The centurion Cornelius also saw the angel that was sent to him to say that his prayers had been heard and his alms accepted (Acts 10:3-4), even before he was incorporated into this temple by regeneration." (excerpt from LETTER 187, TO DARDANUS 36) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on James 4:13-17 comments on a process that we embark upon with the Lord, with the goal of having our will and desires mesh with his. We can start by acknowledging our hopes and plans. Then we can pray and listen for how God might be leading us. We seek his wisdom and guidance; we open our hearts and wills to what moves him and what he desires for us. Far from trying to convince God to bless the decision we’ve already made, we’re inviting him into our decision-making process, and we’re asking him to guide us because we don’t know what the future holds.

As you do that, you can have confidence that God knows and loves you. He knows the plans he has for you. And even if you don’t get a clear answer from God about a particular plan, you can take comfort knowing that you have placed your life in the hands of the One who holds the future.

“Lord, I am open to whatever you desire for me this day.” (Meditation on James 4:13-17, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the message in the Letter of James against arrogance and how we attempt to control our destiny. We accept whatever God sends. “If God wills it” is our guide for action. Friar Jude reminds us to avoid the thinking of the disciples about having a monopoly on doing the right thing.

Brian McLaren reflects on the Holy Spirit’s work in the early church and today. He shares that theologian Grace Ji-Sun Kim urges Christians to be open to the Spirit’s life-giving movement.

We must be guided by the Spirit in all that we do. We work with the movement of the Spirit as wind, light, and breath to change us and empower us to be agents of change.  

When the Spirit fills our lives, we follow the rhythm of the Spirit. We are guided by the Spirit to become new creatures and become agents of change. We become workers in the Spirit and for the Spirit….  

The love of the Spirit will empower us to work for God: to generate justice, be merciful, and fill the world with God’s love…. As we experience God’s presence, we each contribute to the building of the reign of God here on Earth. It is a task that calls all of us. 

We recognize that this Spirit transforms us to become the best that we can be by our love. Love is the force that challenges us to move towards justice and wholeness. [3] (McLaren, n.d.)

We seek the Holy Spirit to guide our plans and apply humility and gratitude to the action we undertake to do the right thing.

References

James, CHAPTER 4. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 22, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/4?13 

Mark, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 22, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/9?38 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). A Living Spirituality. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 22, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-living-spirituality/ 

Meditation on James 4:13-17. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 22, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/22/973254/ 

Psalms, PSALM 49. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 22, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/49?2 

Scholer, S. (2024, May 22). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 22, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052224.html 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 22, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may22