Today, the eve of Ash Wednesday, is an appropriate time to listen to what St.James says in his Letter for he speaks of practical Christianity. There is no emphasis on doctrinal matters. Rather he is concerned with problems of everyday life. James talks of people's unquenchable passions, especially those of ambition and avarice which lead to strife. Wanting to serve self and the world rather than God can get a person nowhere. However, a sense of sincerity and humility before God, a prayerful desire to be pure so as to be close to God are the gateway to the Lord's "lifting up" to eternal life.

Today's Gospel Reading from Mark gives us Christ addressing the same problem of human ambition and the human desire to be "one-up" on others; in other words "to choose the world for his friend" (James 4:4). Christ chides His disciples by demonstrating, with a child in His arms, the need to put service before self. Just as a child is weak and helpless, and needs to be welcomed and served, so also should they serve Christ and God by serving even the lowliest.

Instead of being receptive to Jesus' teaching, the disciples were more concerned with their own personal positions in the world. This attitude is so sadly that of most of us today whose hearts have yet to be reformed.