Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 338​

My brothers and sisters, show no partiality

as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.

Saint James offers a stern teaching for us today. His warning, "show no partiality," should be "standard operating procedure" for our practices and habits. But it's hard not to kowtow to the wealthy donors and potential donors who occasionally attend our services. And there are other favored persons -- the recognized politicians, athletes, and entertainers -- who grace us with their presence. We might fawn upon them as well.

Books have been written about the "exchange" that goes on between influential persons in different fields. The politician curries favor with the religious authority, and vice versa, because they need each other's eclat. The politician needs the moral aura that surrounds the priest or nun; the religious person needs recognition beyond their own congregation or denomination. Both cultivate the esteem of the athlete, reminding their people they were once young and athletic. They sidle up to the brilliant entertainer to show the world, "I am somebody too!"

Of course, we like to welcome these well-known persons to our churches to claim their success as our own. This famous person belongs to "my church!" Woo-hoo!

Clever politicians and ministers know to appear at funerals and weddings, to condole the grieving and congratulate the newlyweds, and to garner recognition among their potential supporters.

All this is human nature and not really reprehensible.

But, having welcomed the Very Important Person, who almost certainly feels entitled to -- and needs -- at least a moment of recognition, we should turn our attention back to the assembly of equal persons.

Each and every person is honored by the Lord. I think the Lord stands up for everyone who comes into the room, and personally greets them with, "Thank you for coming!" and "Thank you for your generosity!" and "I know well your shame and disgrace and I so admire your willingness to join us! It's wonderful that you are here!"

Not being the Lord, we cannot know the personal history that trails everyone who enters our church. We cannot suppose there is trouble in every household, or what that trouble might be. We have no idea of the moral traumas each man and woman have survived. But our warm greetings have a sacramental quality of healing and reassurance that can flood the secret places and illuminate the darkest corners.

We should never hesitate to lavish that attention on the strangers who join us in prayer.