Mirror, Mirror

James 1:17-27
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  18 In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.  19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger;  20 for your anger does not produce God's righteousness.  21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.  22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.  23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror;  24 for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like.  25 But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act-- they will be blessed in their doing.  26 If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless.  27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Reflection
I've always had some problems with the book of James.  James' notion of faith has always seemed so different than that which my Lutheran heritage taught me.  (Martin Luther himself wasn't too keen on the book nor was my Literature of Old and New Testament prof.)  I've always thought of James' faith as a work--a BIG no, no to Lutherans who understand God's grace as a gift which isn't something which is attainable rather something given by God alone in Christ alone. This week's reading, though, resonates quite well with the notion that because God gives grace, something compels us to do the same.

James tells us that we are the first fruits--God has created us and gifted us. James tells his readers, or hearers, to "understand" this. Verses 19-20:  You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. Thinking back, there is probably something to that.  God created humankind in God's own image--male and female!  We know from verse 17 that God, according to James, is the bearer of good gifts, perfect and whole gifts.  These are gifts without darkness and shadow.  So, as images of God, as God's first-fruit--that is God's gift--we are supposed to listen before we speak, we are supposed to be slow to anger.  We are supposed to know that our anger--towards ourselves or those different from us--does not make God's righteousness.

But, how then, do we act? How then, does God's righteousness come about?

Well, look into a mirror.  What do you see?  Do you look at yourself and see every flaw--every scar, blemish, crooked tooth?  Do you see these and forget what you are like? Do you forget that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, created in the image of God?  Do you walk away from the mirror and forget that God has created you and given you a world for which you can care?

23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror;  24 for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like.

James preaches, not only the law which reminds us what we look like in the mirror, but also a law which sounds a little graceful. God creates us.  God gives us to the world--to the orphans and widows or to whoever those marginalized in our current society might be.  God doesn't require us to do things, but we are freed to do things for others.  We are free because God has forgiven our every maliced glance in the mirror--through Jesus who erases our blemishes and restores us to what God created us to be--images of the divine, to be bearers of good gifts, to be beacons of light in the world.  God in Jesus is what brings about righteousness.

25 But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act-- they will be blessed in their doing...27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

So, what?  What does this "religion" tell us today?  What does this tell the person who is looking for their place in the world?  It tells you this: You have a place and that place is to hear the word that you are free because God loves you. It tells you this: You are free to look into the mirror and see that you have gifts, you are God's gift. It tells you this: You are surrounded by a world which will try to stain you, but care for those who are in the world anyway. It tells you this: Find the marginalized--those orphans and widows, those who are without food or family or the care of society--and care for them. To do this, you don't need to have the perfect job or any job, you don't need to have a bachelors or masters degree, you don't even need to have the right words to say.  Remember, You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger...


My Prayer Today
Father of lights, giver of every good gift, thank you for freeing me to give.  Help me to remember those who do not have what I have.  Help me to hear their tribulations with mercy, not anger.  Let all those who need a word a love become hearers and let all those who have heard become doers through the love of Christ and the work of your Holy Spirit.  Amen.