Readings:
1 Chronicles 10-12
Sirach 2
James 4

1 Chronicles 10-12

In these chapters we get a very condensed, almost cliff notes like version of Saul’s reign and David’s preparations to take over as king of Israel. In some early bibles these books of 1 and 2 Chronicles were referred to as “supplemental” because they supplement some of the stories and info found in the two books of Samuel and the two of Kings.

James 4

The entirety of Christianity is a contradiction to the world. We want to keep our lives? Then we will lose them. We want to be first? Then we will be last. We aren’t supposed to seek revenge, but turn the other cheek and forgive. Jesus even tells us to love our enemies and pray for our persecutors.

Is it any wonder then that Saint James is telling us that we have to either chose the things of the world or the things of God? To seek after one is to ignore the other. By going after the radical forgiveness and humility that we are called to, we make ourselves enemies with the world and the flesh, because they’re both fallen and awaiting redemption at the end of the age.

James tells us to not count our chickens before they hatch, because even living to see tomorrow is a gift from God that we aren’t promised. And he touches on sins of omission. These are what we confess at the beginning of Mass that are the things we “failed to do.” We can sin by acts we commit, but also failure to do what we know is right. Keep an eye out for those moments because they’re like an opportunity God gives us to do the right thing.

Tomorrow’s Readings:
1 Chronicles 13-15
Sirach 3
James 5