Tuesday of the 7th week in ordinary time
James 4: 1-10 Mark 9: 30-37
Theme: God gives grace to the humble
In the 1st reading of today from St. James, we are told about some of the things that we must guide against, if we truly want to live like true children of God that we are called to be. We are admonished to be mindful of our passions and jealousy, because they contribute towards division and fighting amongst people. We are advised of the fact that we must make the right choices in life, because you cannot embrace the ways of the world that promotes worldly passions and say you want to follow the ways of God. You must choose one today and allow the other to go, they cannot go together. The admonition of St. James today is that we must let the ways of the world go and embrace the ways of God, if we truly want to be ambassadors of Christ that we are called to be as children of God. St. James also made it very clear that God opposes the proud and exalts the humble.
Thus, inviting us to a life of humility in everything that we do, irrespective of our achievements and success in life. It is expected that our success in life should be seen as a gift from God and they should help us to be humble and be mindful of the way we relate with other people who are less successful like us. You must always be mindful of the fact that you are in the world but not of the world, lest you make the grievous mistake of living your life according to the dictates of the world, and this will lead you away from the ways of God. We are all encouraged today to give God a chance by choosing to make choices that promotes the ways of God and discourage the worldly ways.
However, to declare for God simply means you must be ready to swim against the current. This stems from the fact that people are more comfortable with going along with the popular practice, irrespective of whether they are right or wrong. Deciding to go according to the ways of God simply means that you will be challenging some of the common practices that people are already used to, and some people will not just watch and allow that to happen. So, you must be ready to face the challenges that will come with walking through the narrow way. The good news is that you will not be alone, God will be with you all the way. As you do this, may almighty God bless you in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit, Amen. Peace be with you.