Homily: Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time: 2007

Brothers and sisters, today we heard this:
"The LORD is a God of justice,
who knows no favorites.
Though not unduly partial toward the weak,
yet he hears the cry of the oppressed." (Sir 35:12)
And I think we need to take a cold, hard look at it. We need to "know no favorites," and that includes not automatically favoring the poor, the minority member, and the marginalized. And yet it DOES mean educating ourselves and opening our eyes, our minds, our hearts and our pocketbooks TO the poor, the minorities, the marginalized who need it. Because we need to "hear the cry of the oppressed" (or, as the case may be, MAKE that cry). Because it is not up to US to level people -- God can do that -- or to decide against someone in court just because he is rich, or shun someone just because he is rich, or despise and envy someone just because he is rich. Mother Teresa said not to hold it against the rich, because they may have worked very hard for what they have. And if anyone had a case for being partial to the poor, SHE did!

And even though I say that, I won't say that Jesus was only blessing the poor in spirit and not the materially poor, or that the BEST way is not to go, sell all you have, and follow Him. It's not doable for most of us . . . we must honor our obligations, our "duty in our state in life" as it used to be called . . . and besides, if you're married, it's not all your money anyway!

But the rich, just because they ARE rich, doesn't mean they are wrong or unjust or need to be punished or put down a peg or leveled or taught a lesson. I remember a woman who was in a breadline in Communist Ukraine, starving and waiting, and when she finally got to the front of the line she was turned away. "You were rich," they said, and sent her away hungry. She never got over it. Only the proletariat deserved to eat. One can rebuke and disagree with the Communists without turning one's back on the poor and the workers. Give to EACH man his due; that is the definition of justice.

But what about the "Woe to you rich . . ."? Well, "those to whom much is given, much will be expected." And your material wealth is a gift from God much like any other. A man gifted with athletic ability may use it or abuse it, as countless examples show. A person gifted with a fine voice or writing ability or artistic talent may do the same. He is called to use it for the glory of God and the enjoyment and benefit of his brothers and sisters. So the materially rich are called to do the same. As (Saint) Dorothy Day says, "We are all our brothers' and sisters' keepers."

[pause]

Let us now profess our faith . . .