James 1:17-27

The language of this passage is marvelously energizing and suggestive. One is reminded of multiple images from Scripture: the language of Hebrews which speaks of the word of God as “living and active” (Heb 4:12); the parable of Jesus in which the word of God is sent forth like seed being randomly sown in soil (Mt 13:1-9, 18-23); the words of Isaiah in which the word goes forth, never to return empty (Isaiah 55:10-11); the dawn of the world when God spoke and creation came to be (Genesis 1:1-3). For James the Word of God is a living, vibrant reality.

This vibrancy derives from the fact that the Word of God is the living reality of God, the very heart and essence of God. John’s Gospel says it this way: “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God” (Jn 1:1). It is that Word which took form and shape and life in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14).

For James, as for John’s Gospel, the living Word of God is the source of the life of God wherever it is found. “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” (1:17).  Thus, James speaks of the origin of the Christian life in the life of the Word living in us:  “In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures” (1:18).  It is that “implanted word that has the power to save your souls” (1:21).

One commentator says that the reference of vs. 18 to Christian birth by the word likely refers “to the rebirth of Christians by the word of the Gospel (see Jn. 3:3-7; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet. 1:3,23)” (The Harper Collins Study Bible, NRSV). The word of the Gospel is that way of God, the life of God. Followers of Jesus are those who seek to live the way of Jesus, the way of God. In so doing their lives become bearers of the life of God’s love, God’s compassion, God’s justice, God’s forgiveness.

By The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina

Additional Commentary from “Reflections on the Common Lectionary”

In the lesson from the Letter of James we are called to be “Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.”  When we profess faith, but we do not strive to bring about justice and peace, we deceive ourselves.  We are not fulfilling our potential as God’s people in the world.  As people of faith, we are called to live out our faith in meaningful and powerful ways.  God calls us to challenge unjust laws and oppression. We must strive for God’s perfect law, rather than settling for the imperfect laws created by human beings.  When we act for justice and peace, we may face intimidation or criticism.  The writer of the letter to James reminds us that doers who act will be blessed in their doing.  God is with us as we act and as we persevere.

Throughout the Bible, it is clear that our call is to transform the world into the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom of justice, freedom, and peace.  Labor Day gives us an opportunity to honor the work that is done by millions of American men and women.  On Labor Day, we should consider the ways in which we – as individuals, as congregations, as churches – can help to bring about this transformation, especially for low-wage workers in this country.

(“Reflections on the Common Lectionary” [www.nicwj.org/materials/materials.cl.html], Interfaith Worker Justice; by Teresa Mithen, Intern, Chicago Interfaith Committee on Worker Issues, Summer 2000)