15th week of Pentecost

James 1:9-18
The brother in lowly circumstances should take pride in his high standing, and the rich one in his lowliness, for he will pass away “like the flower of the field.” For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass, its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes. So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits. Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him. No one experiencing temptation should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one. Rather, each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers: all good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. He willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Luke 17:11-19
As he continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met (him). They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

What is the crown of life and why is it given for perseverance during temptation? Does God pay us for “hard pr difficult work”? Do we resist temptation for the sake of the crown?
Olympic athletes travelling around the world could buy themselves a gold medal for less than their airfare and lodging. Are they foolish for exchanging years of perseverance for a bit of gold? The reward of the athlete is excellence, which is why the special Olympics, Junior Olympics, and even various classes and categories exist. A forklift does not get gold for outlifting a powerlifter and a Ford Pinto does not get a gold for outrunning a Sprinter. The crown is an effect and not merely a reward. Phonics practice causes both the effect and reward of reading. Likewise, if we persevere in temptation we will recieve a crown of life as both an effect and a reward. Fot it is God who gives us the perseverence so that we might recieve the crown.

Lord God,
grant that we may never cease to long for the heavenly kingdom you have promised us,
and to aspire to the real treasures you have prepared for us.
Through your grace may we obtain these things,
and, with your elect, we shall give thanks to you who are all-good, now and forever.
Amen.