Chapter 5
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Warning to the rich oppressors
1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.[a] 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.
Questions:
Q. Why should the rich “weep & howl”?
A. They have accumulated in life stuff they cannot take with them. They have achieved their wealth off the backs of the poor. God will judge… Lk 12:15-21, Lk 21:34, Job 13:28, Is 51:8, Mk 6:19-21
Q. What does fire symbolise in this context?
A. God’s righteous judgement
Q. What does “You have killed the righteous man” mean?
A. See Sirach 34:22.
Q. Who does this “righteous man” remind you of?
A. Jesus
Q. Given this, what is the significance of Mt 25:34-46?
A. Loving Jesus’ body
Q. What kinds of sin have we seen in 4:13and 5:16?
Omission and commission
Patience in suffering
7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
Questions:
Q. Why does James say “therefore”?
He’s beginning to sum up. Whenever you see “therefore” you should ask what it’s there for ;-). The summary of what James has said so far concerns: trials, wisdom, internal conflict, controlling the tongue, faith/works… He says be patient in all of it.
Q. What are James’ readers waiting for?
A. Jesus’ Second Coming (or possibly the judgement of Jerusalem). Rev 7:14-17
Q. What’s the problem with grumbling?
It’s like slander, a form of judging. See OT when Moses was in the desert with Isreal.
Q. What does James emphasize to help prevent this grumbling?
The Lord dis “standing at the door” – he has not forgotten us. See Isaiah 40:27-31
Q. What do you think James means when he says “Establish your hearts”
A. “establish” comes from “stabilis” in Latin, from which we get stable. Catechism #1808. The active tense is used which requires effort. Stability in the midst of struggle.
Q. What is the significance of “early” and “late” rains?
A. Natural cycle. Plant and wait. Impatient farmers would try to harvest in March. “He who has hope” – B XVI. Galations 6:9
Q. What might be a modern day Catholic’s way of rendering verse 10?
A. Consider the perseverence of the Saints. See Cloud of Witnesses. See Isaiah 50:7.
Q. In what way was Job “steadfast”?
A. Job 42:10-17. He lost his wealth, home and family but he didn’t curse God (Remember we talked about the poor?)
Q. Why does James say no to oath swearing?
A. See Mt 5:33-37 and Catechism #2155. Oath swearing brings condemnation when used for secular purposes rather than sacred ones. This isn’t lessened by using “heaven” or “earth” instead of God’s name. Treated lightly. Oaths: Mt 14:7; 26:2,74; 27:25
Q. When should oaths be sworn?
It is legitimate for doctors, politicians, judges and soldiers to make oaths, as well as those making and renewing covenants.
Q. Why are oaths sworn?
God’s name is invoked to bring God’s help (blessing) and punishment (curse) to those who violate it.
Q. What does James demand instead?
A. Truthfulness and integrity at all times, as well as controlling of the tongue.
Prayer of faith
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
Questions:
Q. When does James say you should pray?
A. When things are bad, but also when things are good. Suffering -> Pray. Cheerful -> Sing Praise. Sick -> Call oil and the prayer of elders. See Phil 4:6-7
Q. Specifically, what should happen if someone is sick?
A. The prayer of elders and oil. Sacramental roots of the Anointing of the Sick. See #1520-1523: * Cleanse from sin * strengthen in struggles (* prepare for death). See Mark 6:13
Q. Why oil?
A. Oil was used as medicine in antiquity (Is 1:6; Lk 10:34) – an appropriate sign.
Q. What makes this more than just a simple medical procedure?
A. The invocation of the Lord’s name. The forgiveness of sins, “saving” him.
Q. Why is forgiveness of sins mentioned when sickness appears to be the issue?
A. Illness is a sign of the consequences of sin in a fallen world. There is therefore a link. The eternal consequences, however, are far more important.
Q. In verse 16, James says “therefore” again. Why?
A. We should pray for one another that we might be healed. Lev 5:5-6; Num 5:5-10; Jn 20:23
Q. Why is “the prayer of a righteous man” so powerful?
A. See earlier discussion about prayer. It’s from obedience, in accordance with God’s will and with great faith.
Q. What does James emphasize about Elijah?
A. “He “was a man of like nature with ourselves”. See 1 Kings 17:1, 18; 14:1-46 See Catechism #1422, Jas 1:6-8; 4:3; Sir 48:1-3; 35:17; Rev 11:6; Luke 4:25
Q. How does 19-20 connect into the overall theme of James’ letter?
A. If we truly love God and our neighbour as ourselves it will drive us to express our faith in the work of reconciling the world to God. Work of mercy. See Gal 6:1, Hos 6:1, Joel 2:12, Lk 1:16, Acts 3: 19, Prov 10:12, 1 Peter 4:8, Neh 4:5, Ps 32:1