18th Sunday After Pentecost

This week we hear a timely word from James that speaks into our divided world. Here, the author contrasts wisdom that comes from below with wisdom that comes from above. Verse 16 says this lower wisdom results in "wickedness and disorder of every kind." While "wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace (17-18). Together we must resit the unwise and draw near God who shows us the way forward.