Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. 6 But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways. 9 The brother in lowly circumstances should take pride in his high standing, 10 and the rich one in his lowliness, for he will pass away “like the flower of the field.” 11 For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass, its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes. So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
The attitude of joy during trials was introduced by Jesus in the beatitudes, “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 5:10).” James is aware that the faith of the community is being tested and is encouraging the community to endure trials because they lead to perseverance and endurance and is an occasion for joy. Those who are strong in faith and persevere will remain constant in times of hardship. Patient endurance can sanctify and perfect the soul. When a soul is perfected, everything that is contrary to the love of God has been removed and the believer can focus on the ultimate goal of the coming of the Lord (Js. 5:7).
They should pray for wisdom without doubting that God will grant their wish because a person who lacks wisdom and is guided only by reason cannot accept the hardships of life as occasions for joy. Only divine wisdom can allow believers to view tribulations as occasions for spiritual growth. Divine Wisdom is granted to all who ask God with confidence, and it is given lovingly, generously, and without blame. A person who is of two minds, who hesitates, or who challenges God will receive nothing from God. People in the Christian community who doubt can cause problems in a community and can be compared to the wicked; "But the wicked are like the tossing sea which cannot be still, Its waters cast up mire and mud (Is. 57:20)."
In the OT, the poor and the oppressed were of special concern to God, and those who neglected or oppressed the poor were condemned by God. The rich man who does not believe can boast among the worldly of his wealth and status. The poor man who believes can boast about his high standing in the eyes of God. Based on the Christian view of man’s ultimate end, the rich man who ignores or oppresses the poor can only attain salvation if he realizes that he is poor in the eyes of God.
Almighty God, we come before with our trials and challenges seeking your wisdom and guidance. Grant us the gift of unwavering faith and the perseverance to endure so that we may be sanctified and perfected, and single-minded in our devotion to you. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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