Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: May 24, 2024

Date:   Friday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:  James 5:9-12

Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates. Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed, we call blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of the perseverance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, because the Lord is compassionate and merciful.But above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your "Yes" mean "Yes" and your "No" mean "No," that you may not incur condemnation.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading for today from the Letter of James gives us advice for our journey. First, James tells us we must persevere despite hardships and reminds us that our LORD has “purpose.”  We may not always understand, but we must persevere. Then James tells us that “above all” we must be accountable, truthful, reliable by insisting that our "Yes" mean "Yes" and our "No" mean "No." We must be mindful always of our “Yes” to the LORD and honor our commitment of faith, hope, and love.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I give into hardship and let it derail my promises to my LORD? Do I remember always my promises to the LORD and seek to journey faith filled regardless of how others treat me?

Praying:

LORD, You know me better than I know myself. You know that my desire to be with You and to love You with all my being is authentic, sincere. But You, my Creator, Savior, and Sanctifier, also know that I daily struggle staying the course, persevering in faith, drawing upon my hope in You, allowing your love to transform me more fully. Help me to overcome my resistance and to journey daily drawing upon You, your love, your compassion, your gifts for this life so that I might have life with You more perfectly. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.