Saint Claude La Colombière | Tuesday 15 February 2022

Today is Tuesday the 15th of February, the feast of Claude La Colombière, in the sixth week of Ordinary time.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing Ngaza Ngambona: 'They are blessed who keep his commandments; they will have their eternal place. Come in, all of you, so that you may be happy and be able to say, I've seen him on the cross, the one who loves me. Teach me, Father, to love you, praise you and pray to you.'

Today's reading is from the Letter of James.
James 1:12-18
Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. No one, when tempted, should say, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. But one is tempted by one's own desire, being lured and enticed by it; then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my beloved. Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfilment 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.

The first sentence of today's scripture reading might feel a little difficult to hear: 'Blessed is anyone who endures temptation'. Are you battling a particular temptation at the moment or even managing to endure? Perhaps you are struggling... Bring this to mind now, sitting gently with it...

What do you imagine the 'crown of life' to look like? What would it be like to receive this after having stood the test?

As you hear the reading again, listen out for the loving description of the 'Father of lights'...Notice how you respond to this...

You might like to use this final space to bring to God a particular temptation you are facing today... Ask God for the grace you need to endure and stand the test...


Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.