The book of James is one of those you either like or don’t. I enjoy James because he doesn’t hold back, he tells it like it is. Sometimes this is what I need to hear, even if I don’t want to.

In this selection today, James is reminding his readers that there is more to being a follower than just listening to the words of the teachers. There is an action that must take place.

I often think about Jesus and his miraculous healings. While he offered to heal, be it from blindness, illness, or disfigurement, he often required action from the person. He said things like go and wash or get up and take your mat. This was the physical responsibility of the person who heard and received the words of life.

Likewise, we too are not supposed to just sit around and read the word or hear it read aloud, proclaim what a good message that was, and then go back to the same old same old.

Jesus’ words are transformative and life-giving. They demand action from us.  

James is reminding us of this very thing in this selection. He tells us to listen! Take your time when speaking, and make sure you are using the right words. And be doers of what you hear. Put an action behind the message.

Without action, we forget. We forget that we are all made in the image of God, that we are family around the world. We forget that each person is worthy of love, respect and compassion.

Today, go and do.