James 4:1-10 / Mark 9:30-37 (2020)
We may have enough of life experiences to say that nothing is a coincidence. Everything happens for, and with, a reason.
For example, today's two readings are not put together by coincidence, even though it may not have been planned that way.
Even in the 1st reading, St. James didn't write about the wars and battles in the Christian community by coincidence.
He was addressing a startling reality that has, surprisingly, infected the Church, and all because the fundamental factor is forgotten.
He puts it in this way: Don't you realize that making the world your friend is making God your enemy? Anyone who chooses the world for his friend turns himself into God's enemy.
And that was also the same spiritual infection that Jesus was addressing in the gospel with His disciples.
The disciples were also fighting among themselves for status and power and glory.
Isn't this same spiritual infection also affecting us? And the disease may have gotten so serious that the poor and lowly, the humble and the helpless, end up as casualties in this battle and war of darkness.
Let us heed the spiritual advice of St. James in the 1st reading - Give in to God then; resist the devil, and he will run away from you. The nearer you draw to God, the nearer He will come to you.
Yes, let us humble ourselves before the Lord and before others, and God will lift us up.