Word to the Wise
Monday, May 16, 2016 - Monday in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
[Jas 3:13-18 and Mark 9:14-29]But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then preaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of rigtheousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace. [James]
I am sure many of us would love to have the kind of wisdom described in this passage from the Letter of James! We can think of the times when we were anything but wise in the words James uses! Yet there is no reason why we cannot use them as a goal or even as an examination of conscience.
The last line from the quote is an important one because it is a challenge to "cultivate peace." This isn't simply absence of conflict but goes deeper into a whole attitude of life. It is hardly a peaceful situation when we stare across a battle line fully-armed but without firing a shot. Cultivating peace imiplies acceptance of differences and a willingness to find a way to celebrate and live within them. The sad, sad state of Iraq and Syria at the present time shows what happens when armed conflict is seen as the only way to settle differences. No one really wins such a conflict. Here in the State of Texas, the open carry law of deadly weapons is actually celebrated as a good thing. I certainly don't want to be around when folks start reaching for those "constitutionally protected" weapons. This is no way to cultivate peace!
The Letter of James challenges us to ask ourselves how we might cultivate peace and learn the ways of wisdom. AMEN
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