James 5:7-12 (NRSV)
Read James 5:7-12 on biblegateway.com
Verse 7Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. Verse 8You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Verse 9Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! Verse 10As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Verse 11Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Verse 12Above all, my beloved, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "Yes" be yes and your "No" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
Devotion
“Make your hearts firm, since the arrival of the Lord draws near.” Since we received the sign of the cross on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday, our minds have been on penance. Now, we are yet another day closer to the only day on which the sanctuary candle is extinguished. The creed reminds us of Christ’s crucifixion and descent to Hell. Such horrors are enough to shake anyone’s faith—anyone but the only-begotten son of God. Easter is a reality beyond the darkness of Good Friday. Through the Word and sacraments, God makes our hearts firm and comforts us until His coming.
Prayer
God, yours is a kingdom of peace, love and charity. Sustain our weak hearts as we pray that your will be done upon earth. Amen.