7th Week, Thursday, May 23
James 5:1-6 / Mark 9:41-50
The Greek biographer Plutarch lived about the same time as did the Apostle James. Plutarch tells this story about Alexander the Great. One day Alexander came across the ancient philosopher Diogenes studying bones in two different containers. When Alexander asked him what he was doing, Diogenes said: "I'm trying to find out if there is a difference between the bones of your father and the bones of his slave. But I don't see any." Diogenes' point seems to be that riches and gold don't accompany us to the grave. All that goes with us is ourselves.
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How does the fact that we will die affect what we do in this life? “Blest be you, my Lord, for our sister Death, from whom no living man can escape." St. Francis of Assisi
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Much has been said about wealth, and yet much more can still be said about wealth. And to be fair, we have to talk about both sides of wealth. Wealth can be the result of hard work and prudent savings and good investments. But wealth can also be the result of greed and dishonesty, with also a splash of stinginess thrown in. Whichever way it is, wealth stands as a neutral object. The question is the attitude towards it that generates the interest behind it.
The 1st reading has a lashing for the wealthy by telling them they can start crying and weep for the miseries that are coming. Because their wealth is rotting, their clothes are eaten away, their gold and silver are corroding. But that is because their wealth is gain through injustice and oppression - they cheat their labourers, hold back the wages of the reapers, condemned the innocent. Wealth made them think that they had the might and right and no one dared to resist them. But the time of reckoning will come.
In the gospel, Jesus gave us this warning - whatever causes us to sin, we must cut it off. Rather to cut off a sinful thing than to go to hell with everything. Anyway, wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants. All we want, all we need is Jesus. The rest is transient and will eventually pass away. But Jesus will be our eternal reward.
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Thursday of 7th Week in Ordinary Time
Protect the Weak
Introduction
James resorts to the vehement invective of the prophets against the rich who exploit the poor, though there must have been few really rich in the early Christian communities.
In a series of not too well-connected words of the Lord to his disciples, we notice for example, how Jesus shows concern for the “little ones,” that is, ordinary Christians not too well versed in doctrinal matters, who are at times confused by the more learned. With James and the Lord, we too, should be concerned about the little people, the humble, ordinary Christians.
Opening Prayer
Lord God, our Father, Jesus your Son, showed special concern for the weak and the humble. Help us too, never to become overbearing or condescending towards the little people. Do not allow us to confuse them with self-conscious, learned words. And give us a faith that is informed, yet simple and trusting. We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.
Intentions
– For the Church, that we may not only love the poor and care for them but also speak out with courage when they are trampled upon, we pray:
– For those who are deaf and blind to other people and their needs, that their eyes, ears and hearts may be opened to the treasures of love and sharing, we pray:
– For all of us, that our empty hearts may become spacious and generous, like open doors to all people and all needs, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
God our Father, your Son Jesus, was radical in his love and in the demands he made on his disciples, yet he was mild and understanding toward the weak and the poor. With this bread and wine, accept our purpose to follow your Son in his radical, demanding ways. But be also compassionate and forgiving when we fall short of our best intentions. And help us to have patience with others, and with ourselves on account of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Patient and merciful God, we have heard your Son speak to us, words of warning and a call to conversion. May we stand the tests of the Christian life, that we may never stand condemned. Let this Eucharist warm our hearts and keep us at peace with one another and with you, our compassionate and patient God. We ask you this through Christ, our Lord.
Blessing
Never look down on others. Protect them. Jesus repeats this in many ways, regarding outcasts and sinners, regarding children, regarding the weak and simple people. We are Christians together, and God loves us all. May God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Commentary
Truth over Diplomacy
A 1937 definition (anonymous) of diplomacy goes thus: “The art of telling you to go to hell in such a way that you look forward to going there.” Well, no one can accuse Jesus or apostle James of being too diplomatic. Today’s passages would suffice to prove that they liked to call a spade a spade. There are no sweeteners, no oiling the hand; just direct, in-your-face statements of truth. They were not meant to antagonize anyone, but only to ensure that the truth is boldly told. Of course, it did cost them their lives, because the world does not really like to hear the truth. In the contemporary world where even some Christian churches, taking after the corporate world, are over-conscious of their public relations image, we will do well to remind ourselves that our ultimate vocation is to witness to the truth even at the cost of our lives, and not necessarily to ensure institutional survival.
