Thursday of the
Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
(James 5:1-6; Mark 9:41-50)
Both readings today demonstrate the Scripture’s use of exaggeration
for emphasis. Such language should not be
taken literally. Rather common sense should
temper extreme commands and judgments.
In the reading from the Letter of James the author tells all
the rich that they will end in misery. He
implies that everyone with wealth has extorted the poor. Of course, this position is outrageous. Still, seeking wealth as the heart’s desire
runs the risk of greed and selfishness. Everyone
– the rich, the poor, and persons in the middle – should become “poor in
spirit” as the responsorial psalm says.
That is, all people should look to God as their principal resource of sustenance
in life.
In the gospel Jesus tells his disciples that if their hand,
foot, or eye causes them to sin, they should rid themselves of the organ. Taken literally, such a command would
contradict natural law. Jesus means to
emphasize the necessity that those with authority in the Church must never lead
others astray. Less colorfully we might
say the clergy must avoid giving scandal by not misusing community funds, by
not walking in places of ill-repute, and by not lusting after any one.
