Often, things slip by, unnoticed, in the background. I guess that is why it is called the background.
This month, there has been something playing out in the background of our Masses. It is hidden in the Second Readings, where throughout the course of this month we have heard parts of the Letter of James to the early Christian Community. You may not have noticed. Because it was, well, in the background.
I really like James. Such a practical guy. He was also greatly concerned for the Spiritual growth of Christ’s followers… that’s you and me too ! Since it was ‘in the background’ so to speak, let me recap the readings –
On the first Sunday this month, James said that our call and mission was to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep ourselves unstained by the world. He also reminded us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. On the second Sunday he tells us that class distinction and judging others by their appearances has no place in our lives. On the third Sunday, he told us that faith without good works is dead. Last week he told us following the world’s teachings will bring us jealousy, unbridled ambition, and self-centredness, whereas following the wisdom from above helps make us peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy. Finally, this week he reinforces these messages in no uncertain terms when he speaks of condemnation of those who grow rich by exploiting the weak.
It’s a really short, but incredibly powerful letter ….. So, is there a message for you and I in the letter of James? I think there is. It is right there in the beginning, in the very first chapter, where he says
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
We see that pairing of actions and faith that James tells us is absolutely necessary for our spiritual well-being. Absolutely necessary if we are to become all that God created us to be.
That first part, to “care for the Orphans and Widows in their distress” means that you and I are called to care for others in the world by our actions. Everyone. Even those people we don’t like. Even the Dragon-Lady in accounting.
And that’s not easy. It’s not easy because there is nothing that says we have to agree with how others think. Or agree with what they do. But as Christians there is something that says we should not just look at the surface of their words and actions. We should try to look deeper. To see in them what God sees in them. We are called as followers of Christ to see in Life … in its peoples, its events its presence, ……. the hand of God.
We are called as followers of Christ to look upon others with compassion and mercy. You and I are called to reach out to any and all who are in some way marginalized in the world today.
It could be right here in our Town of Newmarket. If fact, I can think of one particular group in our Parish who have made this a way of life …. the Members of St. Vincent de Paul. And not only do they transform others by their actions, they themselves are transformed and become more Christ-like. You might want to consider joining them. Just sayin’.
It could be in our country and in our world … where we often support those who are caring for the needy on our behalf by our generous donations to support their work. But it is not just ‘out there’ that we find those who feel marginalised, ostracized, on the fringes. It is in our workplace. It is in our families. And often, that is a much tougher place to be caring. To be merciful. Especially if we have been hurt
The second part of James message is to keep ourselves “unstained by the world” – what a powerful turn of phrase! Because the world that you and I experience here, today, is one that so often seems cruel. Uncaring. Uncivil. To use James’ words, it is a world filled with Jealousy, Ambition, Self-centredness. A “Look after number one – what’s in it for me” kind of place. And it is all too easy when immersed in that world to start to think and act that way. To become a little less caring. A little less civil. A little giving of self to others and a little more self-centred. To become a little too quick to judge others. To become a little to quick to take advantage of others. To become a little too quick to talk. And a little too slow to listen. That ‘stain’ of the world starts to change us. And not for the better.
James may have written his letter to a group of Christians around Jerusalem almost 2000 years ago. But it speaks to us today, here in Newmarket, every bit as powerfully as it did to them so long ago.
Take time this week to read the Letter of James. Take time to let it’s message sink in. Its just too important to let it slip by, unnoticed, in the background.
If you would like to read James in a contemporary paraphrase …. I have posted it on my website. Click here to see it ….. it will open up in a new tab in your browser.