James 1:1-11
1 James, a servant of God and of the LORD Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion: Greeting. 2 Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, 8 unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord. 9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like the flower of the grass he will pass away.11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
Mark 8:11-13
11 The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, to test him.12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.” 13 And he left them, and getting into the boat again he departed to the other side.
MEDITATION
St JAMES THE APOSTLE pens a general letter to all believers on the matter of; doubt and uncertainty—dispositions that can cause a believer to stumble and turn away from God. James conclude that the lack of wisdom produce states of double-mindedness and pride, because we refuse to submit to God who is the progenitor of grace, a charism that produce true joy and holiness in and from Christ Jesus.
Catec 2847 The Holy Spirit makes us discern between trials, which are necessary for the growth of the inner man, and temptation, which leads to sin and death. We must also discern between being tempted and consenting to temptation. Finally, discernment unmasks the lie of temptation, whose object appears to be good, a “delight to the eyes” and desirable, when in reality its fruit is death. God does not want to impose the good, but wants free beings. . . . There is a certain usefulness to temptation. No one but God knows what our soul has received from him, not even we ourselves. But temptation reveals it in order to teach us to know ourselves, and in this way we discover our evil inclinations and are obliged to give thanks for the goods that temptation has revealed to us.
THE GOSPEL READING: Our Lord has just performed the miracle of the multiplication of the fish and loaves, when He is confronted by a bunch of Pharisees—so-called experts of the law— who began to argue with Him. These self-righteous men insisted that Jesus give them some other “sign” so they could entrap Him. Upon recognizing their ill intensions Jesus refused to heed their request and abondoned them.
In more ways than one, we are no different to the Pharisees who refused to submit to the teachings of Christ; never mind our refusal to accept that He can truly bring about transformation and holiness in our lives, if only we take Him at His word! Adultery and gender dysphoria can be said to be a type of confusion or double-mindedness that leeds to all manner of temptations, sinful behavior and lifestyles. If the truth be told, our obstinate refusal to submit to objective truths, is the reason why we are driven and tossed by the wind, not knowing whether we are ‘Arthur or Martha.’ Unless and untill we submit to the teachings of Christ as ennumerated by the Church, we shall remain unstable and devoid of the joy and love of Christ Jesus.
LET US PRAY:Psalms 119:67-68,71-72,75-76
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I keep thy word. 68 Thou art good and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes. 72 The law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.76 Let thy steadfast love be ready to comfort me according to thy promise to thy servant.
Commentary. Henry R SYLVESTER. Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.
Morning Coffee Meditations. 