Self Examination: Authentic Christianity

The letter of St. James, like the epistles of St. Peter and St. John, often invite us to make an practical assessment of our lives and journey as Christians. We only need to look inwards, not outward to recognise how we can live a life that is true to our vocation as Christians. Today we read, ‘wherever you find jealousy and ambition, you find disharmony, and wicked things of every kind being done; whereas the wisdom that comes down from above is essentially something pure; it also makes for peace, and is kindly and considerate; it is full of compassion and shows itself by doing good; nor is there any trace of partiality or hypocrisy in it…where do these wars and battles between yourselves first start? Isn’t it precisely in the desires fighting inside your own selves?’ (cf. Jm 3:16-4:3). Our Blessed Lord confronts these issues among his own disciples. He was direct, firm, understanding and loving as he teaches. Scripture tells us that when he was in the house, he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?… So he sat down, called the Twelve to him and said, ‘if anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all…’ (Mk 9:30-37).

Beloved People of God, we are not bereft of practical bits that can help us live our lives as Christians, authentically, without jealousy, pretence, hypocrisy or unhealthy ambitions. What is lacking may be the willingness to look inwards, an introspection or self-examination. Worse still, there may a lack of discipline to follow through, the good work that has been started, something meant to bring us peace. There may be that unwillingness to sow seeds that will be bear fruit in holiness.

We pray that God’s wisdom will inform our decisions and guide our actions. We need to be able to take to heart what we hear or read as practices that can help us become and remain Christians worthy of the name. 

Fr. Ted

All to Jesus – Through Mary our Mother

25^th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

22^nd September 2024