6th Week in Ordinary Time (C) : Tuesday 15th February 2022

James contrasted the evil of giving in to temptation with the act of giving. He wrote that temptation came from one’s own desires, not from God, for God would not tempt anyone. The person who resisted temptation would be blessed because giving in to temptation would result in sin and death. On the other hand, every good gift comes from God. So too, every generous act of giving comes from God. There would be no shame involved at all in acts of giving generously.

Jesus’ disciples had journeyed with him for quite a while, and yet, they still did not understand Him or the situation they were experiencing. The disciples did not recognise the opposition of the Pharisees for what it was. King Herod had killed John the Baptist, yet the disciples didn’t seem to recognise his hostility either. Then Jesus reminded them of the two occasions when He multiplied the few loaves and fed large crowds with baskets of leftovers. It was a difficult time for Jesus as His disciples were slow to understand. Soon they would journey to Jerusalem and be confronted with Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Lord, open my heart to understand and follow Your way.