DAILY HOMILIES #St. James

Prayer is empty when not backed by a decision to act rightly. Prayer is a relationship (an agreement, a covenant). It is only complete when we do what we have promised. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us, “You cannot take without giving.” Giving (helping others) is part of prayer. Forgiving the wrongs of others is part of prayer. “If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.” Jesus taught us to begin with “Our Father” rather than “My Father” to show us that we are related. Jesus taught us to be reconciled before presenting our gifts to God (Cf. Matthew 5:24). Without love for one another, our prayers are empty phrases. How can you be asking God, your father, to kill your brother (fellow human being) because he hurt you?

The key to being ‘the salt of the earth’ and ‘the light of the world’ is showing love to those who need it most: the hungry, the homeless, the naked, the sick, the prisoners and so on. Although Isaiah’s list is not exhaustive, he basically draws our attention to the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy, which are: Feeding the Hungry, Giving Drink to the Thirsty, Sheltering the Homeless, Clothing the Naked, Visiting the Sick, Visiting the Prisoners, and Burying the Dead.

Just because you are unhappy with many aspects of your life doesn’t mean God hasn’t helped you. The fact that not all your prayers are answered doesn’t imply that God is weak or no longer exists. Look around you; God is still performing great and mighty works for many. Maybe it’s not yet your turn, or perhaps your problems are blessings in disguise; whatever the case, don’t lose hope in God.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes us as salt and light. We are supposed to lead the way, not lead others into darkness. Our lives should inspire goodness, not confusion. Do not tell a child one thing while doing the very opposite. If our behaviour encourages others to remain in (or even increase) their sinful lifestyles, we will share in the punishment. Ours might even be worse.

Be poor in spirit; do not be haughty, rude or arrogant. Be eager for salvation. Do not simply gloss over evil in the world. Do not be indifferent to the problem of immorality, indecency and corruption. Of course, fighting evil and injustice by shining your light will create more enemies than friends for you. Jesus says we should rejoice even in our sufferings for His sake.

James zealously spread the Gospel throughout Israel and the Roman Empire, dedicating nearly forty years to preaching in Spain. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to him, instructing him to build a church in her honour. Upon returning to Jerusalem, James was martyred by King Herod, making him the first apostle to die for his faith. His followers carried his remains to Compostela, Spain, where they were discovered in the ninth century and placed in a tomb at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a primary pilgrimage site.

For Jesus, greatness is not having others serve you but becoming a servant to others. “If anyone wishes to be first (great), he must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35). In Matthew’s version of this passage, Jesus says: “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4).

Many may claim to love, but lacking these qualities, they practice “trade-by-barter.” Any love that cannot forgive (has an expiry date) is not love. Any love that only gives when it takes is not love. Any love that begins and ends with sexual attraction is not love. In truth, much of what our world today considers as love is not love at all. The best definition of love is the image of Christ on the Cross of Calvary.

It is a good thing to aspire to become the Head of your organisation, the Chairman of your community, the President of your group, the CEO of your company, the Bishop, etc. You may be ready to do anything, even to shed your blood like James and John, but you must remember that it is not your ambition or your effort that will get you what you want but the will of God.

Jairus believed that Jesus had the power to raise the dead to life, just as the woman suffering from the issue of blood believed that touching the fringe of Jesus’ garment could heal her. Do you believe there is a limit to what God can (or is willing) to do for you? Do you still think there are problems that prayer cannot solve? If God is our husband and we are his spouse, there is no limit to what He is willing to do to protect and provide for us.

St. James tells us it is better to be poor than to enjoy stolen riches. We steal by refusing to pay our workers their just wages or by living in luxury (wastefulness) while millions suffer extreme poverty. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus highlights the danger of scandal by saying it is better to be dead than to be the source of scandal for little ones (innocent minds).

"Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his desire.” (James 1:14). In other words, the devil that we often accuse of causing temptations lives within us (in our minds). This ‘devil’ that we carry everywhere is called desires. We tempt ourselves with our desires.