James 2: 1 – 7
My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favouritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, ‘Have a seat here, please’, while to the one who is poor you say, ‘Stand there’, or, ‘Sit at my feet’, have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonoured the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?
Reflection
Perhaps, in an odd way, the economic difficulties of the past few years have had positive effects on many local churches. Not, of course,that it is in any way good that people have been struggling with the cost of living and finding it hard to get by, but that responding to the situation has challenged many churches to find new and creative ways of reaching into and serving their local communities. Warm hubs and warm spaces, community pantries, cupboards and cafes, school uniform banks, food banks; churches have hosted these and many more ways of living out Jesus’ commandment to love our neighbour. In doing so, some may have rediscovered what churches can and should be about, and found their fellowships widened and enriched as a result. Perhaps James (or whoever wrote the letter which bears that name) would approve.
However, I suspect winning that approval wouldn’t be easy, because James is often a very challenging read. It’s a book that has been controversial throughout Christian history and some theologians have argued it should be removed from the canon altogether. Its uncompromising messages can challenge our theology and how we understand the relationship between faith, action and salvation, and it can also challenge us to think about how we practically live as Christians. In this passage it challenges us to ask whether our churches are truly egalitarian spaces where everyone is welcomed and valued, regardless of their financial status. Do we welcome rich and poor alike, or do we act with favouritism and make distinctions between ourselves? Plus, we are challenged to ask wider, structural questions. Do the rich, as James says, oppress us? Why are food banks necessary in one of the richest countries in the world? Asking these questions, even if they are uncomfortable, is a part of what it should mean to be Church.
Prayer
God of generosity and plenty,
we give thanks for churches,
and other community groups,
working to help people in need,
bringing food to the hungry
and companionship to the lonely.
Help us too, God of radical inclusion,
to build church fellowships
where people of all backgrounds are not judged,
but welcomed, celebrated and loved.
Amen.