Column: Rich In Faith

"Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?" - James 2:5

Greetings to all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Today I would like to focus on our second reading from the Epistle of James. Before we take a closer look, I would like to encourage those reading this article to spend some time with this important, but often overlooked epistle. When I was a young Christian, James was one of my favorite books of the New Testament. It was easier to understand than many of St. Paul's letters, and it offered many practical teachings on the Christian life including facing suffering, resisting temptation, the proper use of speech, and the importance of unity in the Body of Christ.

Another topic that St. James wrote about was our relationship with the poor and the dangers of the misuse of wealth (see James 5:7-6). Our second reading warns us to be careful in the way we treat the poor, affording them the dignity that they deserve. 

My brothers and sisters, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Sit here, please, "while you say to the poor one, "Stand there, "or "Sit at my feet, "have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Did not Cod choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him? - James 2:1-5

The treatment of the poor and the proper use of money and wealth are some of the more uncomfortable topics of both Scripture and the Tradition, nevertheless both have tremendous amounts to say about it. Here are a few short quotations from the Catechism: 

The Church's love for the poor ... is a part of her constant tradition. This love is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes, of the poverty of Jesus, and of his concern for the poor ...  (CCC 2444) 

Love for the poor is incompatible with immoderate love of riches or their selfish use ...  (CCC 2445) 

St. John Chrysostom vigorously recalls this: "Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs." "The demands of justice must be satisfied first of all; that which is already due injustice is not to be offered as a gi of charity. "When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice." (CCC 2446)

With these important teachings in mind, I would like to raise awareness on practical ways we can act on works of mercy in our community. First and foremost is simply being aware of the forms of poverty that surround us each day. Ask the Holy Spirit to assist us with being open to those that God places in our path, to see their needs, and for the courage to be generous with the gifts God has given us.

This can be followed by getting involved in the works of mercy with other believers through ministries in our community. A great example of this kind of collaboration is the work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. This important apostolate is a network of Catholics that is inspired by Gospel values, seeking to grow in holiness, and focused on building a just world through personal relationships and with serving those in need. They are always looking for new members and perhaps God is calling you to serve the poor with them? To learn more: www.stmcatholicchurch.org/svdp 

I would also like to mention the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's upcoming Friends of the Poor Walk on Sunday, September 22. Registration is at Noon and the walk begins at 72:30 pm, followed by a lunch. The purpose of the Friends of the Poor Walk is to raise awareness and money to support those in need in our community. To learn more: www.stmcatholicchurch.org/fopwalk

Let us pray: 0 God, defender of the poor and oppressed, help us to hear their cries and come to their aid. Teach us to see with your eyes their tremendous dignity and to care for them as you care. Let us see in them your face, that through our solidarity with them, they may experience your compassion, concern and love. Amen.