Homily: Seventh Thursday of Ordinary Time
Seventh Thursday of Ordinary Time (James 5:1-6) “Who Really Owns what I Possess?”
Social Justice is a very controversial subject. Some people would feel that it is a rather recent concern of the church but that would not be true. Justice has been an interest of the Judeo-Christian tradition from its beginnings.
At the heart of social justice is the principle of the common good. At the crux of this idea is that everyone should have the basic necessities of life. What do people need to live with human dignity. Everyone needs food, clothing and shelter. We might include education and basic human rights today. If anyone does not enjoy these necessities, then this is not just.
Prophets like Amos railed against the unequal distribution of wealth. Why should people live in luxury while others are starving to death? Why should some people live in palaces while others are homeless? These things do not necessarily happen on different sides of the earth. Often people who are rich and impoverished live in the same society.
James points out that to hoard wealth is not even the wise thing to do. In his time wealth consisted of three things. The first kind of wealth was grain. The rich had warehouses full of wheat and corn. The second kind of wealth was on display in how people dressed. Fine clothing was a luxury that a poor man could only dream of. The third type of wealth was silver and gold.
James says that such wealth is fleeting. Eventually grain will rot in storage. This was very true in ancient times. Grain could not be kept in a climate-controlled environment. Clothing would eventually deteriorate as well. Mothes could eat holes in fine clothing. Finally, James says that precious medals will eventually corrode.
We are given the things of this world to share. God does not give us such things to hoard.
1. Do I own a lot more of something than I need? What is it?
2. Do I agree that everyone should have the necessities of life? Why or why not?
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Dear Parishioners,
May is the month of Mary. May crownings are a tradition of the church during this time of year. We try to have a May crowning every year. We will be having a May crowning at the 9:15 Mass this Sunday. The children will participate. We encourage them to bring flowers from home to carry up and place before an image of Mary.
Where does this custom come from? We could say this tradition is passed down from agrarian societies. We pray for a successful growing season and that the world will be fruitful. We also pray for all mothers who are pregnant. We pray for the safe delivery of their children. We trust that God will make the world fertile and that there will be new life.
May Our Lady pray for us as we move through the planting season.
Fr. Mark