Word to the Wise
Sunday, September 9, 2012 - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - B
[Isa 35:4-7a; Jas 2:1-5; Mark 7:31-37]My brothers and sisters, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing fine clothes and say, "Sit here, please," while you say to the poor one, "Stand there," or "Sit at my feet," have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs?
Put yourself into the scenario sketched in the Letter of James. How would you react? Two people arrive at a parish gathering. One arrives in a Lexus SUV or similar vehicle, the other arrives pushing a grocery cart with what appears to be all their earthly possessions. The Lexus person is wearing designer clothing, the grocery cart person is wearing the latest fashion from St. Vincent de Paul or Goodwill. Which of these two would you be inclined to greet first? How would you welcome each of them? Do you feel a "squirming" sensation about this? I do. I hope you do, too.
"Money talks!" The lack of money also "talks," but not nearly as loudly and is less likely to be heard over the loud talk of those who are "moneyed." Isn't that what we are seeing in much of the current election campaign in our country? The media trumpet the amounts being spent by "PAC's" and candidates as if dollars equate to votes. My fear is that they may be right, no matter who gets the most votes! Of course, we may comfort ourselves by saying, "Well, that's just politics. Our church gatherings are different. We wouldn't give a greater voice to the wealthy in our church than we do to the poor!" How I wish that were true! From usher to bishop, this is a major challenge! The story of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31 would have been a good one to accompany what the Letter of James says to us today. It might motivate us to find a good parking spot for the grocery cart, too! AMEN