17 February 2022
Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
“My brothers and sisters, show no partiality, as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.” Who do we honor and notice in our lives, and how do we look past or ignore? James draws our attention to a rich and poor person as example of this, but who we honor or ignore need not be someone of material wealth or poverty. Perhaps we overlook or despise people that do not think like us, look like us, act like us; perhaps it is more subtle that this, we show partiality to certain family members, friends, neighbors, and we overlook those who might be in need around us in those same circles. Whose attention do we crave, seek, or cultivate, and who do we want to be noticed by?
Partiality – favoritism – is dangerous. It can cause us to be only hearers of the word and not doers if the Word is inviting us to minister and care for those whom we do not favor. It can also cause us to see those we favor as our true mirror instead of God and God’s law, thus causing us to forget our identity as sons and daughters of God seeking his favor and love above all else.
Today, let us pray with this advice from James against partiality, and see where we are called to do, serve, and interact with people outside of our comfort zone or circle of friends.