Practical Christianity - Plain Talk

Beloved:
Is anyone among you suffering?
He should pray.
Is anyone in good spirits?
He should sing a song of praise. 
Is anyone among you sick?
He should summon the presbyters of the Church,
and they should pray over him
and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
The prayer of faith will save the sick person,
and the Lord will raise him up.
If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another
and pray for one another, that you may be healed.


The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. Elijah was a man like us; yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and for three years and six months, it did not rain upon the land. Then Elijah prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit. My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you should stray from the truth and someone brings him back, he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

You really have to love the book of James.  It is absolutely filled with easy to understand suggestions on what we should do be a more Christian community.  He is very practical and the suggestions just seem to make sense.  I can see why Martin Luther didn't like the book and had to be talked out of removing it from his personally vetted canon. The book dispels the notion of sola fide which is what got it an honored position on Martin's hit list. 

Look at the practical advice we are given in today's reading.  If you are suffering? Pray.  If you are in good spirits - sing.  If you are sick, summon the church and they will anoint you. If you never read any other book in the Bible, read the Book of James - it is refreshingly simple and yet profound. 

Pray for the Poor Souls in Purgatory.