Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 19, 2021
“Where jealousy and self ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy and insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.”
Is the reading from St. James reflecting today’s headlines, or does it date from the first century? The events of our time certainly reflect disorder, chaos, making the gospel seem so distant.
The encouragement of the writer though, offers the opportunity to examine our own lives as we seek to live by the virtues he enunciates – peace, gentleness, mercy. James uses the fruits of the spirit of which St. Paul wrote in Galatians.
If we chose just one and worked on it each day for a week or a month, our lives would be quite different as we ‘cultivate peace’ in our hearts and offer it to others.