Tuesday, 21 May 2024. Readings: James 4:1-10, Ps. 55:7-11,23 Mark 9:30-37
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you men of double mind.” (James 4:7-8)
The greatest enemy of any man is himself, that is, his desires and ambitions – especially when these desires are not pointing towards God. For St. James, the practical evangelist, our unruly desires cause all our problems, such as divisions, fights, quarrels, envy, man’s inhumanity to man and even unanswered prayers. Today’s Gospel passage shows us that Jesus’ disciples were not super-humans; they also had unruly desires. Instead of listening to Jesus, they fought and argued about who was the greatest among them. Since we all have unholy desires capable of leading us to hell, how can we gain mastery of ourselves?
1. You Always Have A Choice: The devil will never tempt you with something you don’t want because he knows it would be difficult to resist his offer. Hence, we cannot completely blame the devil for our fall. For instance, Adam and Eve fell because they wanted to be like God. The devil exploits our desires (whether good or bad) by offering shortcuts. Having fasted for forty days, the devil knew Jesus was very hungry, and he tempted Jesus with His legitimate desire to eat food. Remember that it is not everything that glitters that is gold. You can always say No to the devil’s suggestions. St. Paul would say: “Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh… Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:16,24).
2. Purify Your Heart: As St. James teaches, to resist the devil, we must cleanse our hands, purify our hearts and avoid being double-minded. Stop harbouring evil desires (dark fantasies); you only make the devil’s job easier. Select your thoughts: “Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8).
3. Do Not Love The World: According to St. James, friendship with the world is enmity with God. (cf. James 4:4). Today, many live by the philosophy of get-rich-or-die-trying, which means doing whatever it takes (even if it means killing someone) to become rich. St. James asked: “What causes wars, and what causes fighting among you? Is it not your passions that are at war with your members? You desire and do not have, so you kill. And you covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and wage war.” (James 4:1-2). Being wealthy is not a sin, but remember that if you gain the world and lose your soul, you have wasted your life. (Mark 8:36). We brought nothing to this world and will leave with nothing. (cf. Job 1:21). Taking someone’s life to get something you would still leave behind makes no sense.
4. God Does Not Answer Prayers Fuelled By Greed (or Inordinate Ambitions): Prosperity preachers will never quote this verse: “You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3). Do not reduce your worship of God to the quest for material riches. Jesus teaches us: “Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ The Gentiles seek all these things; your heavenly Father knows you need them all. But seek his kingdom and righteousness first, and all these things shall also be yours.” (Matthew 6:31-33). Today’s psalm says: “Entrust your cares to the Lord, and he will support you.”
5. True Greatness is Humility: In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus says: “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35). There is nothing wrong with aspiring for greatness, but remember that the way to the top is to begin at the bottom. When you humble yourself, everyone will exalt you. St. James adds: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble… Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:6,10).
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, free us from the love of this world and teach us to love our neighbours as ourselves. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Remember, amid all challenges, choose to be happy. Live with a positive mindset and believe in God’s plan for you. God bless you abundantly. (Tuesday of week 7 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: James 4:1-10, Ps. 55:7-11,23 Mark 9:30-37).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
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