James 3:13-18 / Mark 9:14-29
When we were young, there were probably some people whom we look up to, or some role models in our lives.
But when we reach adulthood and get on in our years, we fall back on what we have learnt from experiences and we carve out a wisdom that is gained over the years.
Yet how much of that wisdom is mere human wisdom, and how much of that is divine wisdom?
The 1st reading states that truly wise people will show it by their good lives and with humility in their actions.
Yet a contorted and warped human wisdom would be shown in the bitterness of jealousy, self-seeking ambitions and the covering up of the truth.
St. James continued by saying that such is definitely not the wisdom that comes down from above but rather they are only earthly, animal and devilish.
Indeed we have to pray and reflect on what are our principles and motivation in life, what do we believe in and what do we practice.
Yes, we need to pray because as Jesus said in the gospel, evil can only be driven out by prayer, especially when it is the evil within.
May the Lord listen to our prayer, cleanse us from all evil, so that with the wisdom from above our lives will be pure, and we will bear fruits of love and peace, compassion and kindness.