The vocabulary of our language develops with time; what happens in society influences the way we speak.
In our conversations, words which may have existed before, are now used with different connotations.
A new meaning is given to the way we express ourselves.

This is the case with the word ‘inclusion’ – it comes up quite often as people discuss different matters.
It is used in different circles, but most often it refers to the acceptance of certain people.
It is meant to correct the attitude of those who tend to leave aside some groups who become marginalized.
They are excluded because of race, customs, lack of social status, belief, etc.

The word ‘inclusion’ may not have been in use in the time of the saint James.
But the text of today’s 2nd reading shows that the apostle knew very well what it was about (James 2:1-5).
He also knew how important it was for the first Christians to practice it.

He writes to them in these words:
“Do not try to combine faith in Jesus Christ with the making of distinctions between classes of people”.

His message is as relevant today as it was when it was first written.
The example James gives in his epistle is not unknown among us…
The way we treat people – those “beautifully dressed” and the others “in shabby clothes” – speaks for itself!

It happens that we look down on people – or do not look at them at all – because they are different.
They dress differently, they speak in another way, they have customs that are strange to us, they do not worship as we do: in one word, they are ‘others’.
Mentally two groups have been formed: WE and THEY.

Nowadays, the policy of many states tends to reflect this mentality.
In this time of discrimination, armed conflicts, as well as natural disasters of different kinds, there are movements of  people from country to country.
Refugees and migrants are often labelled as ‘foreigners’ – they are not welcome in the countries that benefit from plenty of resources and enjoy peace.

But… the policies of states depend a lot on the citizens… and WE are the citizens!
In this respect, a modern parable is quite telling. 

A group of pilgrims had gone to Rome for a canonization celebration. Standing in the large area of Saint Pierre Square, they observe what is taking place. One of them asks a neighbor: “Did you know the one they will declare a saint?”
All those around him shake their head to say they did not know him.
The first man adds: “I have the impression that I have seen him in our area, I think I even noticed him knocking on doors.”
Someone near him replied: “Yes, he was often around…”
“You never opened the door to him?” came the next question.
“Uh… No…”
“But now… he is the one being declared a saint!”
The reply came without delay: “Oh, if we had known he was a saint, of course, we would have opened the door to him!”

The apostle James reminds us:
“It was those who are poor according to the world that God chose to be rich in faith
and to be the heirs to the kingdom he promised to those who love him”.

We cannot pretend we do not know…

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at:https://image-i-nations.com/23e-dimanche-de-lannee-b-2024/ 

Source: Image: pexels.com (Timur Weber) unsplash.com (Eric Masur)