In yesterday’s Gospel Jesus declared: “woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation” (Luke 6:24). In today’s first reading James exhorts his brothers and sisters, “Those in lowly circumstances should take pride in high standing, and the rich one in their lowliness…”. Neither Jesus nor James is condemning the rich per se but both are warning them that riches and possessions not only do not buy happiness but do not buy heaven: “For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass, its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes. So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits” (James 1:11).
This week we begin reading from this Letter of James, who introduces himself as a “servant of God of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1). James was a leader of the Jerusalem Jewish Christian community. Paul met with him when he went up to Jerusalem after his conversion: “Then after three years I [Paul] went up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas… But I did not see any other of the apostles, only James the brother of the Lord” (Galatians 1:18-19). In this letter James seems to be addressing Jewish Christians outside of Palestine, “the twelve tribes in the dispersion” (James 1:1). This community is undergoing some local persecution. James is writing to encourage them to remain firm: “Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
James continually reminds the community of their lowly standing in the world but of their high standing before God:
“Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him? But you dishonored the poor person. Are not the rich oppressing you? And do they themselves not haul you off to court? Is it not they who blaspheme the noble name that was invoked over you?” (James 2:5-7).
As we listen to God’s word let us consider not our wealth or our possessions but what we have from God and before God, His love, His mercy, His grace. Let us take pride in the grace of God.