James 4:1-10 / Mark 9:30-37
Be humble! “God resists the proud.”
Charles Colson was a close aide to President Richard Nixon.
He was convicted in the Watergate scandal and sent to prison. As a result of
the Watergate experience, he underwent a deep religious conversion. One book
that influenced him tremendously was C. S. Lewis’s Mere
Christianity. This passage touched him, especially: “I don’t think I have
heard anyone who was not a Christian accuse himself of this vice. The more we
have it in ourselves, the more we dislike it in others. The vice I am talking
about is Pride. . . . Pride leads to every other vice. Pride is a spiritual
cancer; it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even
common sense.”
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How do we handle pride when it rears its ugly head in our
life?
“A proud man always looks down on people and things.” c. s.
Lewis
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We may have enough of life experiences to say that nothing
is a coincidence. Everything happens for, and with, a reason. For example,
today's two readings are not put together by coincidence, even though it may
not have been planned that way. Even in the 1st reading, St. James didn't write
about the wars and battles in the Christian community by coincidence. He was
addressing a startling reality that has, surprisingly, infected the Church, and
all because the fundamental factor is forgotten.
Isn't this same spiritual infection also affecting us? And
the disease may have gotten so serious that the poor and lowly, the humble and
the helpless, end up as casualties in this battle and war of darkness.
***
Tuesday of 7th Week - LITURGY
BE THE LAST AND SERVE!
Introduction
James points to the causes of conflict and laxity within the
Christian community: not outward influences, not so much different opinions,
but the evil in the heart of each, like love of pleasure and of the world, envy
and pride. Gospel. (Jesus announces his passion and resurrection for the second
time, but the disciples did not understand him. Do we understand? We have begun
this Eucharist by placing it under the sign of the cross. Do we understand the
cross, especially when it weighs on our own shoulders?) The future leaders of
the Church, the disciples, are not free from dangerous defects like ambition;
they seek the power of the first place in the kingdom, they do not understand
that Jesus – and they, too – will have to suffer, and that service and simplicity
are required to promote the kingdom.
Lord our God, you know what is in our hearts. Purify our
thoughts, change our mentality and give us the attitude of Jesus, your Son.
Help us to identify with Jesus, to accept suffering as a part of life and of
our efforts to establish your kingdom. In whatever position we are, keep us
humble, trusting and simple and may we have no other ambition than to serve
your Son in our sisters and brothers. For he was the servant of all and so you
made him our Lord for ever.
We are not certain who the original recipients of James’s
letter were. But it was certainly a community beset with severe problems. Today
the author speaks of conflicts and disputes. Misunderstandings are a part of
life. And that is what they should remain: an understanding that has been
“missed.” But how often they are allowed to fester and extend into long periods
of discord and dislike? James draws an interesting parallel between those who
love the world and those who love God. Those who love the world are
characterized by a spirit of discord and antipathy. Those who love God operate
on a different plane. God resists the proud and bestows his favors on the
lowliest. In staying close to God, our hearts are purified and our hands
cleansed. Interestingly enough, James makes explicit what today’s Gospel calls
for. Discord and conflict often rise out of a spirit of “one-upmanship,”
putting people “in their place.” But truly Christian speech never seeks to
control or lord it over anyone. The one who is first, says Christ, is the
servant of all and remains the least. Genuine Christians never try to place
themselves over others. Even when they have to correct others, they do it with
respect and concern. This central teaching of the New Testament is
unfortunately easily forgotten. Ambition takes people down ruthless trails both
in society and, regrettably, within the church. Friendships are cultivated to
pave the way for the future, to help “climb the ladder of success.” But for the
Christian, the only proper direction to move on the ladder is down to service
and compassion, not “up” to self-glorification and worldly success. This is a
descent that leads to eternal life.
Conflict resolution Dealing with a jealous spirit Becoming
the “servant of all”
– For those who are the greatest in the Church, that they
may serve with great dedication and without looking down the weakest, the
poorest, those wounded in life, we pray:
– For the mighty of this earth, that they may care
especially about the rights, the dignity and the well-being of the lowliest
masses under their charge, we pray:
– For those working in lowly jobs shunned by others, for
those who have unhealthy or dangerous tasks, that we may appreciate them and
that the Lord may help them, we pray:
Lord our God, we bring before you ordinary food and drink,
the signs of everyday life; and yet, in these your Son will become present
here. Is it that you wanted to teach us that we have not to look for you in
extraordinary places and things but in the simplicity of the familiar? On
account of your Son, accept us as we are, just ordinary people willing to serve
you. We ask you this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.
Our God and Father, you have been patient with us as Jesus
was with his disciples. When we were proud of our own achievements, you placed
before us your perfect servant, Jesus Christ, and let us look at him and share
his table. Make us like him, straightforward, spontaneous, and eager to serve
you in our brothers and sisters. We know that we are in your hands and that you
will support us on account of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
