22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Q. 387: Is St. James overly concerned that people can deceive themselves through mere ritual observance? (Return to INDEX page of "Didja Know?" series)
(Cycle B" September 3, 2006)
A. 387:   One of those universal things that everyone in the world does, at one time or another, is to go window shopping.   We just want to browse without buying anything.   Maybe there is a little bit of envy in the deep recesses of our mind, as we look at the things we cant afford.   Maybe there is also a little bit of fantasy, as we picture ourselves in that latest designer outfit or trendy set of sports clothes.   Or maybe we are just curious to see what the manufacturers are doing to appeal to our consumer lust for more of something we dont need.   Or, maybe we are the reluctant spouse or child, forced to tag along as wife/mother indulges her own fantasies.
Now, lets move that symbolism to the area of religion.   Consider your own expression of faith on Sundays.   Are you a window shopper, just tagging along or showing up because someone says you have to?   Or, perhaps you are attending Sunday worship services just hoping to be entertained by a lively homily?   Is it possible that you wore that outfit just to show off the latest fashions and get lots of attention?   After Mass is over, is the gospel message and homily suggestion forgotten?   (Can you even dimly remember what the preacher recommended last Sunday?)
St. James is urging us today in the second reading (James 1:17-27) to avoid the danger of being simply a Christian window shopper.   Gods word is not entertainment; it is both call and invitation to a special way of life Gods way.   We are called to be doers of the word, not just window shoppers who wont take action on what they see and hear.
KNOW YOUR CATECHISM!   If our hearts are open, Gods word will cause us to take action out of love, not from ritual demands (CCC #1972).  Our only law is to love as Christ loved us this is the new law of the Holy Spirit (CCC #782).  Letting Gods word take root and grow through action is how we avoid the self-deception that concerns St. James.
Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha
(Go back to Deacon Paul's HOME PAGE)