Friday of Week 7 in Ordinary Time
Jas 5:9-12
Mk 10:1-12
Do not make complaints against one another…
A few years ago, I was in a short relationship with a guy. Eventually, we broke up after a few months because we were not a good fit in terms of beliefs, lifestyle, and values.
But when I read today’s readings, I felt humbled.
“Do not make complaints against one another,” St James warned in his letter. And in the Gospel, Jesus was talking about adultery between a wife and a husband.
I’m not married, so I can’t imagine what couples go through, especially those who are struggling with infertility or abuse issues.
But I realised that complaining to people outside friendships or relationships is a very bad habit of mine. To me, maybe some of us too, it feels cathartic, and maybe it feels good too, because of the encouragement and comfort we receive.
But it can also increase the risk of temptation. What if we complain about our relationship troubles to another friend of the opposite gender whom we may catch feelings for later on? What do we do then, with our dissatisfactions with each other’s shortcomings?
St James has the perfect answer for us — to bear with one another patiently and with endurance. Let us see each temptation to complain as an opportunity to sanctify ourselves and gently correct the faults of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
May we be patient with one another and try to cut down our habits of being ‘complain queens/kings’.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Brenda Khoo)
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help us to be patient with one another, and to turn temptations to complain into opportunities to sanctify ourselves. Amen.
Thanksgiving: Thank You Lord for giving us Your grace to be patient with one another and to gently correct our weaknesses. Amen.
OXYGEN 
Brennan… Thank you for Your reflection. Your direct focus is what stood out to me as I read the readings today. And you’re very simple and direct words are spot on. Complaining about others is extremely common, And this morning, I too, was convicted about complaining… Even complaining to God. Instead of looking at the goodness and grace of God and any relationship, and certainly in my vocation as a wife. Thank you so much.
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