James 2:1-13: Partiality
Wednesday, October 5, 2022
The Letter of James is based on Old Testament prophetic and sapiential books along with the teachings of Jesus Christ. His doctrinal message is strong: it is not enough to hear and to believe the message of the Christ . . . one must live it fully as well. Today’s citation calls us to think about the times when we have been partial in our fervor, partial in our love for Christ Jesus.
One of the easiest ways to measure ourselves in terms of Gospel passion is to look at how we interact with the poor. Not only the fiscally poor can use our support but the poor in spirit, the poor in energy, the poor in cognitive ability, the poor who enter the world and appear to cope with it but who are beaten down by the demands of life. James explains that our lives are meant to be lived as an intentional devotion to Christ and his work. In James’ times – and in our own relativistic society in which we are encouraged to feel good rather than do good – James gives us much to ponder.
Today’s citation asks us to reflect on the ways in which we cajole one another to abandon God with statements like: Get a grip, It’s time to get real, When are you going to grow up, Just cope, What’s the matter with you, Everybody does this so what are you upset about. The world around us lures into living lives which lack a purity of purpose.
We can assuage our conscience by giving of self to the poor, by working to improve unjust systems when all the while forgetting to tend to the everyday relationships of family, friends and colleagues. James encourages us to be whole in our worship of Christ, to be as intentional in our actions as we are in our thoughts and prayers. James calls us to the greatest part of ourselves, to the Christ who is in each of us. James calls us to union in and through and with Christ.
This alone ought to be our mission.
Adapted from a favorite written on October 21, 2008.
Click on the image above to explore quotes from Pope Francis about the poor, or visit: http://www.confrontglobalpoverty.org/our-faith-global-poverty/church-teachings/quotes-poverty-pope-francis/
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