Dearest Goddaughter (LTR-83) - Brutally Honest Saint James

Dearest Goddaughter,

The two couples of days we have been reading from the Letter of Saint James and. . . Wow! He is brutally honest in his writings and we are certainly grateful for it! Just read these: verses:

"Do you not know that to be a lover of the world means enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wants to be a lover of the world makes himself an enemy of God" (Jas 4:1-10).

". . .you have no idea what your life will be like tomorrow. You are a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears. . . So for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, it is a sin" (Jas 4:13-17).

In today's first reading, Saint James advises us that when we make plans, we should always discern God's will and have eternal life as a "compass" to guide us. In other words, how is what we are planning to do individually, as a family, as a group, etc., making us not only happier (in the sense of the Beatitudes) but also holier and help us grow deeper in our relationship with God and with one another. This requires us to live our lives in a way that put God first, have Christ at the center of our discernment and decision-making, and the Holy Spirit to enliven our lives and guide us.

Love,

Bỏ Phúc

P.S. These are the readings for the day: Jas 4:13-17 and Mk 9:38-40 (see below)

. . .

John said to Jesus,

"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,

and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."

Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.

There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name

who can at the same time speak ill of me.

For whoever is not against us is for us."