I'm Gled I'm not Poor But...

Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
http://www.usccb.org/nab/021606.shtml

Reflection:

What an incredible set of readings for Thursday. If you have to pick just one to focus on it will be a difficult task. First we have St. James in his wonderful treatise on economic equality. This is followed by one of my favorite Psalms (I almost can't recite it without singing it (remember God also loves the croaking of frogs)) and finally the first proclamation of Jesus true identity by Peter in the Gospel of Mark.

Let's start with the reading from St. James. He is reminding his congregation (that's us by the way) that Christ came for people in the full spectrum of economic circumstances. He reminds us that Jesus especially spoke to the poor. (From a continuity standpoint, I think this reading and the Psalm (R. "The Lord hears the cry of the poor.") really point at the theme of the readings.)
To be honest St. James hits at a point were many of us fail. From a personal standpoint, I'm pretty sure I don't show deference to the wealthy. However, a few years ago, our youth minister brought in a ringer. I don't recall his name off hand but he specialized in playing the role of a street person.

I was involved in that day's activities but was not aware of Theresa's little surprise. As we were preparing for the final portion of the program I saw her "ringer" in the parish hall building and my fist though was not; "Oh, the poor man, he must be cold and hungry." That was the way he looked. Instead my first thought was; "Holy cow, did I forget to lock the doors!" If you don't know St. Thomas in Ann Arbor, we are close to down town and there are a lot of street people around.

To my chagrin, the "ringer" said later, I did exactly what most people do, I was ashamed.
The lesson of St. James is important for us as a people of God. Our actions themselves confront us as Jesus confronted the disciples;

"But who do you say that I am?"Peter said to him in reply,"You are the Christ."

So here's what I perceive as the difficult message today;
For Pastors and Church leaders, we cannot be perceived as giving deferential treatment to those who are wealthy or those who are most generous financially. in doing so we marginalize the rest of our faith community.

For the wealthy members of the faith community, even though you receive deferential treatment in the secular world, don't demand it in the faith community (see one of my favorite movies "The Bishop's Wife" with David Nivin and Cary Grant). You will find you have gained envy not fellowship with the majority of the community and have driven a wedge between your self and the very people God calls you to help.

For those who fall into the middle of the economic scale, be generous but don't look down on those less fortunate. Don't shun the wealthy either, it's usually not their fault if they seem to get more of the attention.

For the poor, God loves you more than you know and we, who are trying to follow our Lord, Jesus who is The Christ, are not perfect as he is perfect. We beg your forgiveness and ask you to pray for us. Pax