Wellspring of Scripture

 

Year B: 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Second Reading: James 2: 1-5

 

Reading today’s extract from James’ letter, we can feel a little embarrassed that we have still not moved away from the desire to treat rich and powerful people in a different way from the poor and lowly. In the film, “Titanic”, it even suggests that there was a separate chapel for the first class passengers so that they did not have to praise God with second - or worse - third class passengers!

 

Even today, eats are still reserved in churches for V.I.P.s. Quite often, they will be processed in with fanfares and escorts with others present standing to greet them. Those who are there feel honoured to have shared an act of worship with such high personages.... those standing outside, privileged to have caught a glimpse of someone going into the church.

 

This is such a fact of life that today’s reading can feel uncomfortable and positively radical. Could we really ask significant people in the church or society to take their chance of finding a seat at an act of worship along with everyone else? Is this not unseemly and lacking in respect? And yet, this seems to be what James is suggesting.

 

It would be interesting to speculate on what would happen if James’ ideas were acted upon and the difference it might make to the dynamic of our worship. What kind of witness would we be giving to the world if those outside saw rich and poor - privileged and disadvantaged coming together on equal terms to worship God. What would we be saying about God if people saw that in his house, all were united as one family?

 

In many parishes, what James advocates happens as a matter of course - people come together and, on the whole, differences between class and income take second place to the greater purpose for which they have gathered.

 

Whilst it is unlikely that things will change for large-scale events, it is worth reflecting on  how we can make our weekly gatherings occasions where all know they belong - and where it is richness in faith that gives each person their worth and dignity


 

What does it mean for me?

 

Waterlily

Are you tempted to be a “corrupt judge” of the people who come to church with you?

How can you help to make your parish more like the community James advocates?

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