Cultivate

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Cultivate

Godly     Wisdom

Growing     Renewing     Reaping

Sow Fruits of Righteousness

Peace

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture: The Letter of James 3:16 to 4:3

Beloved: Where jealousy and selfish ambition thrive, there is chaos and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure, then full of peace, gentle, agreeable, full of kindness and good fruits, without inconstancy or deceitfulness. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.

Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members? You covet but do not possess. You kill and are jealous but you cannot acquire; you fight and wage war. You do not acquire because you do not ask. You ask but do not acquire, because you do not ask in the right way, to spend it on your emotions.

Reflection

The author of the Letter of James directs our attention to the attitudes we cultivate within ourselves. Jealousy and selfish ambition are not going to lead us to a good place!

However, if we cultivate wisdom, there is a different story. We will become more peaceful. 

Our world desires and needs more peace. We see too many conflicts and disputes. We worry about terrorism and suicide bombers.

The author knows that peace does not come without our effort. We have to strive to overcome our passions.

We desire more and more. That desiring can lead to coveting what others have. We can become selfish and indifferent to our sisters and brothers who are in need. We turn our backs on them because we are afraid that we might lose what we have.

We can easily see how this can lead to war. We want more and more and will do anything to keep what we have. 

Instead of the path of conflict, the author recommends a different way: gentleness and mercy. When we plant those seeds, peace will grow.

Kathy's photo points us in that direction. It is not about satisfying our own desires and working for our own comfort. It is all about thinking how we can give to others.

Time to cultivate!

1. How do you try to cultivate wisdom?

2. What causes war?

3. How can you plant the seeds of peace?

(scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)