James speaks to the challenging first century epoch of living under the tyrany of the Roman eagle. It is a hard-headed world where might was right and the powerful dominated the "everyman". Within this dynamic of oppresion James counsels the church to walk the line in fortitude, wisdom and faith in God. Similarly, living within our pandemic age (characterized by trials and obstacles) requires a commensurate response if we are to faithfully follow Jesus in these harrowing days.