NOTES. Catholic lectionary.

NOTES for Jam 5:9-12

The Apostle James tells us today: “Do not grumble against one another.” Let us remember: how long has it been since we last said, “If it weren't for him...” “It's all his fault...” “How can anyone work with people like that?!” It would be good if it stopped there, but we often also say, “If it weren't for you...” Is it easy to refrain from such phrases? Is it easy not to look for someone to blame and not to complain, even if only to oneself? After all, this happens essentially automatically. And it is precisely this automatic response that we must do something about. To begin with, we can try not to say any of this aloud... and pray that the Lord will teach us not to seek someone to blame or complain, but simply to do our work as well as possible under the circumstances in which we find ourselves.