THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2024 - FAVORITISM

 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 2024 - FAVORITISM

I’m off on a spiritual focus today.- favoritism 

From James 2

“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

*****

I’ve “benefitted” from favoritism in my life.  I wore nice shirts and ties.  In the winter, I wore a suitcoat - that I took off in the classroom.  I was “DR. WHITE”.  I wasn’t overbearing, or obnoxious (or, I didn’t think I was).  I tried to be cool.  At Quinnipiac, I was an advisor for a fraternity.  I even took part in their “beer crawl” (and tried to avoid overdoing it).  I played in the pep band (as the faculty advisor) and went to the college hockey and basketball games - with a gangly tuba wrapped around me.  

(Aside - and I could legitimately say, “I played in the NCAA Division I Hockey Championships.” (Of course, I was in the second balcony with the pep band - playing my tuba!!). 

As I have reflected before, I was a “full professor”.  [some students might have thought I was full of B.S.].  

And, I showed favoritism.  

*****

In this scripture, a rich man comes to your church - and you welcome him; a poor man also comes to your church, and you scorn and belittle him.  

Many times, I’ve thought about wearing torn and dirty blue jeans, a top with food stains, maybe two different shoes (I did that a while back - a black shoe and a navy blue shoe - not intentionally).  Go into a service and sit up front.  I might walk through a cow barn  up some organic manure droppings on my shoes.

Or … to dress naturally (as a senior woman) and go to a church that professes non-acceptance of LGBTQ folks.  

But I love all people- do I want to be confrontational?  Hmmm.  Jesus seemed to be confrontational to the Pharisees of His day. 

*****

I know of families where favoritism exists.  Maybe the smart child gets praise or the athlete or the best singer.  It’s hard not to have favorites.

Love wins!!

Love transforms

Karen Anne White