James 4:1-10 / Mark 9:30-37
To be a Christian is to give thanks to God with a grateful and contented heart.
Indeed, it should be so, because a Christian knows the love of God and has faith and trust in God’s providence and protection.
But a Christian can be swayed by the world into seeking profits, gains and advantages,
When that happens, then a Christian turns to selfishness and greed, and pride and all the other vices will set in.
As much as that should not happen to a Christian or in a Christian community, the letter of St. James was addressing such a terrible situation.
St. James pointed out that the fighting within the Christian community was because of the desires in the individuals.
Some people were even prepared to kill to get what they wanted, and to get their way by force.
Even their prayer was to indulge in their own desires.
So from the era of the early Church to the modern day Church, the struggle against sin rages on and some Christians have given in to the desire of their sins.
St. James teaches us that God opposes the proud but He gives generously to the humble.
To be proud and to give in to our desires is to turn away from God and becoming wicked.
Let us be humble before the Lord and know that He will lift us up and grant us what we need.
With a humble heart, we will truly be a Christian in word and in actions by always giving thanks and praise to God.