The first reading in ordinary time alternates between the Old and New Testaments. After reading about the stories of the first kings of Israel, Saul, David and Solomon, the church shifts today to the New Testament Epistle of James. Since there are several (five?) people called James in the New Testament we are not sure exactly who this James is. Traditionally the author was described as the James called “the brother of the Lord” but the Greek in the epistle seems too elegant for a Galilean peasant. In any case, the epistle comments on the situation in the early Church which has a powerful lesson for our own. (Unfortunately, because Lent has its own set of readings we will mostnot read most of this epistle this year.) James confronted the scandal of the wide disparity between rich and poor in his community. The brother in lowly circumstances should take pride in high standing, and the rich one in his lowliness. James insists being a community requires that those who have more than enough share with those lacking the necessities. A lesson still relevant today.
