JAMES 5:1-6; PSALM 49; MARK 9:41-50
Warning to the Rich
“Warning to the Rich” in today’s first reading James warns the rich against confiscating the wages of their labourers. Proverbs 3:27 puts it this way: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.” Jer. 22:13 says “Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms by injustice, who makes his neighbor serve him for nothing and does not give him his wages.”Are those who owe for services done for them? Pay up! Lecturers are on strike today because of this same sickness; Government, pay up! Christ says in the Gospel that we should not cause others to sin. If our hands or offices will cause others to cry, live in abject poverty, malnutrition and sorrow then let us cut it off; it is better for us to enter into heaven crippled, than to have two hands and go to hell (Mark 9:43). Wealth is not a curse, there are many wealthy people who are good. This message is a call to many others to be wise their wealth.
LET US PRAY
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, always pondering spiritual things, we may carry out in both word and deed that which is pleasing to you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
