Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading and Reflection
James gives a good homily today. When he said to me, "You dishonored the poor," it stung! Yes, there are certainly times I favored someone well dressed, young, beautiful, American, or white. I am prejudiced. James made me uncomfortable and that is his job sometimes. That is our job, too, if our lives are living homilies. When we treat everyone equally or when we show a preferential option for the poor, others watch and learn and probably feel uncomfortable. At some point, it becomes comfortable.
When I first started serving
meals at Siena/Francis House, I was uncomfortable. With each
visit, it becomes easier and I learn that the poor are serving me, too,
the bread of life. They are showing me new ways to love
Jesus and to lay down my life. Let us pray that each of us
comes face to face with the distressing ways we dishonor the poor and
that we will learn to recognize the holiness of everyone we meet.
Today let us pray for St. James Parish and the Pastoral Staff.
