Glory be to Jesus Christ!
🌞
For a reading from the Apostle, the brief summary is available here:
https://www.facebook.com/Oleksandr.S.Zhabenko/posts/
James II, 1 — 'ἡμῶν' - 'emon' - 'us' (our).
James II, 6 — 'καταδυναστεύουσιν' - 'katadynasteuousin' - 'overpower; harshly treat; quell'. At that time, many people who were wealthy opposed the spread of Christianity because they did not want to follow Christ and keep His commandments. It's about such rich people.
James II, 10 — 'ἔνοχος' - 'enokhos' - responsible for; involved in
. This does NOT mean that a person breaks all the commandments and is guilty of all of them, but that the Law reveals their guilt, shows that the Law exists for a reason, and involves
them in a state of judgement.
James II, 13 — 'κατακαυχᾶται ἔλεος κρίσεως' - 'katakaukhatai eleos kriseos' - 'mercy praises above judgement'. The words are multivalent in the original, meaning both the superiority of mercy over judgement and the fact that whoever shows mercy in response to judgement shows the spiritual height of mercy.
For the beginning of the reading (Mark X, 17-27), please refer to the link:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/21122023.html
The second part of the reading — verses 28-31 - has a parallel in Matthew XIX, 27-30. Please also refer to the following links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/14112023.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/22072023.html
In general, it does not mean that one should leave everything behind, but that if one's relatives hinder the fulfilment of God's will, or if one is attached and habituated to earthly things, then one should… do God's will. And whoever is so determined to do it in life will receive spiritual kinship with many other people in Christ, and the Kingdom of God in eternity.
The reading concludes with the testimony of Jesus' courage on the way to Jerusalem and the proclamation of His future suffering.
Glory be to Thee, our God, glory be to Thee!