Word to the Wise
Sunday, September 24, 2006 - 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
[Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; James 3:16 - 4:3; Mark 9:30-37][T]he fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace. Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members?
I was born in February 1943 during the Second World War. My father was in the navy and we lived in Jacksonville, FL, for the duration of his service. In thinking about the history of our country since then, it is difficult to find a period when we weren't involved in some kind of warfare. There was the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the War in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Cold War, and the War on Terrorism! It is as if we cannot be happy unless we are engaged in some kind of conflict. I speak not just about our own country. The effect of globalization (however you may want to define that elusive word) makes every war a "global" war now. The Letter of James raises an important issue. Where do wars originate? There are always reasons that appear to be geopolitical or competition for resources or concerns about security, etc. There are abundant ideologies to justify almost any kind of group violence, which is what war is - group violence. What is disturbing is that religion and faith have often supplied the ideologies for these wars! The Letter of James seems to place the cause deep in the human psyche - in "your passions that make war within your members." This almost seems to make it a matter of hormones! Yet, collective efforts find their roots in individual members. In the gospel scripture for today, Jesus attempts to put an end to competition among the apostles for influence and prestige! Big wars come from little wars. For each of us as individuals, there are some disturbing questions about violence that may be lurking in "our members." Little rains over a broad territory make for big floods! One of my dearest friends has just completed a graduate degree in conflict-resolution. I've been reading some of the books that she has recommended. The truth of the Letter of James comes out again and again. It all starts with each one of us! My friend is a woman of great faith and dedication. She will need that faith to persevere in peace-making. Lord knows we need plenty of people like her! AMEN
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