Post-feast of Theophany; the Holy Martyr Tatiana
James 1:19-27; Mark 10:17-27.
Read James 1:19-27
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
I invite everyone reading to ask themselves: How do I reacted to events and people? How have I looked upon those with whom I disagree? Even if there is a difference in belief and/or practice, do I believe that this person is a beloved child of the Most High and love them as such? Do I choose to look beyond whatever faults I perceive in that person and try to understand why they think the way they do?
Please, don’t take my questions as an admonition from me. Take it from the Apostle James, who, in today’s epistle, explicitly states: “let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. If you are angered when we hear or see something off-putting, ask yourself why that is. If I haven’t heard the person speak, and thus haven’t heard or listened, I can never know their heart. Perhaps there is something unknown to me; perhaps I am not all-knowing as I thought I was.
Be quick to hear and slow to speak.
There is an even greater reason to open your ears and shut your mouth—so you can hear and receive the word of God. Everything I suggested so far is good, but it cannot save you. Salvation comes from Christ alone, and you can only receive salvation if your heart is open to Him and to the needs of others.
If there is one resolution to strive for in this new year, this is a good one: be quick to hear and slow to speak so you can hear the word of God and receive salvation.