Against Partiality. James Chapter 2.

2 My brethren, show no partiality as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. ² For if a man with gold rings and in fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, ³ and you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while you say to the poor man, “Stand there,” or, “Sit at my feet,” ⁴ have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 

⁵ Listen, my beloved brethren. Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him? ⁶ But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you, is it not they who drag you into court? ⁷ Is it not they who blaspheme that honorable name by which you are called?

⁸ If you really fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well. ⁹ But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”

Note: Modesty is the only rule for Catholics at Mass. The Word of God corrects our man-made sub-traditions which are not normative or an index to spiritual seriousness.

Freedom of Opinion in Christ.(1)

Romans 14. As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. ² One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. ³ Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. ⁴ Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Master is able to make him stand.

⁵ One man esteems one day as better than another, while another man esteems all days alike. Let every one be fully convinced in his own mind. ⁶ He who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. He also who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; while he who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. ⁷ None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. ⁸ If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. ⁹ For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

¹⁰ Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; ¹¹ for it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise^[a] to God.”

¹² So each of us shall give account of himself to God.

Do Not Make Another Stumble

¹³ Then let us no more pass judgment on one another, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. ¹⁴ I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for any one who thinks it unclean. ¹⁵ If your brother is being injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died. ¹⁶ So do not let your good be spoken of as evil. ¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit; ¹⁸ he who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 

¹⁹ Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. ²⁰ Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for any one to make others fall by what he eats; ²¹ it is right not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother stumble.^[b] 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God; happy is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves. ²³ But he who has doubts is condemned, if he eats, because he does not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.^[c]

Note

Overview of Romans 14

(1) Romans 14 addresses the relationships among Christians regarding disputable matters, particularly concerning food, drink, and observance of special days. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of unity and love over personal freedoms.

Key Themes

• Acceptance and Non-Judgment: Paul urges believers to accept one another without passing judgment on differing opinions. He highlights that both the strong (those with greater freedom) and the weak (those with stricter views) are part of God’s family.
• Living for the Lord: Each person is accountable to God for their actions. Paul reminds Christians that whether they eat or abstain, they should do so with the intention of honoring God.

Practical Applications

• Avoiding Stumbling Blocks: Believers should be mindful of their actions, ensuring they do not cause others to stumble in their faith. If a person’s conscience is troubled by certain foods or practices, it is better to abstain than to risk harming their faith.
• Focus on Peace and Edification: The ultimate goal is to pursue peace and mutual edification. Christians are encouraged to prioritize the well-being of others over their own freedoms.

Conclusion

Romans 14 teaches that while Christians may have different convictions on non-essential issues, they should strive for harmony and understanding. The principles of love, acceptance, and accountability to God are central to maintaining unity within the church. — Search Assist on Romans 14