Surely the tongue is one of God’s greatest gifts to us. We use it to praise God in private and public prayer-above all to sing His glory in beautiful hymns. But it’s not only in relating to God that our tongues are a blessing. What a joy for a parent to hear their child speak its first word! And, what comfort the child receives from its mother’s tender response! It’s the same throughout our lives. At every stage we use our tongues to communicate with one another and thus grow and develop. We all like to remember the words of encouragement and praise spoken b a teacher. Words of gratitude and appreciation given by pupils are also treasured. Above all it’s the words of love spoken within the family that mean most.

So perhaps the best way to avoid the misuse of the tongue through idle gossip is to be more generous in our words of appreciation, gratitude and love. And it’s not just children and youth that need these blessings. We all need them at every stage in our lives.

Since James is writing to Jewish converts to Christianity, he comments on a well known Old Testament story- Abraham’s sacrifice of his son Isaac. Here we see Abraham’s faith in action. Paul in his letter to the Romans uses this same example to teach the importance of faith over the letter of the law. It may seem as if the two writers are drawing opposite teachings from the same example. Actually, in speaking of religious practices Paul is thinking about the Jewish observances and rules, which are useless for salvation. James on the other hand is thinking about deeds of love, which will help our neighbour.

Since faith and love are both theological virtues they must go together. On the one hand true faith in Jesus Christ will always lead us to love of God and neighbour and our faith grows the more we practice it in acts of worship and humble service.

Why is James so strong on this point? Because it is the basis of our faith! We are all Children of God equal in His sight. Our value doesn’t depend on talents gifts, possessions or lineage. As human being we possess a dignity which demands respect. Blessed John Paul was very strong on this point. Nothing can lessen our value as human beings- neither ill health nor the frailty of old age. Weak and disabled by Parkinson’s disease John Paul continued his mission giving witness that the sick and disabled are our greatest treasure and should never be overlooked. Lourdes is one place where this is publicly celebrated. The sick always have first place at Our Lad’s Grotto.

It is not just Christians who have this belief in the dignity of the human person. In India, Hindus, Muslims and Christians alike greet each other with a reverential bow. It is a beautiful gesture in which each person recognises the Divine presence in the other.

This theme is developed in the Gospel and in the early church where the poor hold a privileged place. St. James is very clear in his teaching. For him caring for the poor is the essence of the Christian religion which his Jewish converts have just adopted.

What would James say to us today? Who are the widows and orphans in our society? Maybe we need to read again the parable of the good Samaritan ( Luke 10:29-37) There Jesus tell us clearly who our neighbour is. My neighbour is anyone who needs my help now, We begin in our own family and then look out to our neighbourhood and beyond to assist the needy according to our possibilities.

No doubt the Apostle James was familiar with the parable of the last Judgement Matt. 25 :31 –46 where Our Lord identifies himself with the one in need. When we feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, care for the sick, or even give a drink of water to a thirsty person it is the Lord Jesus that we minister to. It is this beautiful teaching that has inspired many to dedicate their whole life to the welfare of others.

What does it mean to us to call God our Father? We who have prayed this prayer since childhood have perhaps grown accustomed to it and maybe we just take it now for granted. The example of an African saint who came to know God as her Father having been cruelly treated for years by slave masters may help to deepen our own appreciation of this wonderful privilege. Josephine Bakhita was kidnapped in the Sudan at the age of 9. Having suffered terrible floggings by several cruel masters She was eventually bought by an Italian Consul whose wife introduced her to a new master- Jesus Christ.

Gradually Josephine came to know God as her loving Father and Jesus as her brother. It was for her a source of great joy to know that she was truly loved by the One who had created the stars which had always fascinated her since she was a child growing up in Dafur. St. Josephine Bakhita feast was kept last week –Feb 8th. Perhaps we could ask her to help us appreciate more the wonderful privilege of calling God Our father.

James is aware that suffering and trials are part of the human condition so he encourages his people and us also to accept them when they come and even see them as a blessing. Well most people find it hard enough to accept their cross whether it be a heavy one like bad health or just the daily disappointments and challenges that come our way. However to see these adversaries as a blessing can really test our faith. Yet that is what James is calling us to do and he promises the reward will be a deeper faith, more patience and a general growth in every way.

If we haven’t already developed this positive attitude to life’s trials maybe we could take James advice to heart. The result would I believe make life easier not only for ourselves but for those whose lives we touch. It’s always a joy to encounter people who daily count their blessings rather than their woes.

Brokeness and healing are to the fore in many of the Gospel stories. Always we see Jesus presented as one who has compassion and offers hope. As followers of Jesus we too are called to show compassion to those whose lives are touched by sickness whether of body, mind or spirit. It is through us that Jesus will continue to alleviate suffering and heal broken lives.