The Gospel of Matthew

Affirmative Action: namely, the right of minority groups to enjoy the privileges with other citizens under the law has become a hotly debated issue in the United States Congress. It is indeed encouraging that issues of this kind can be debated publicly and wise policies introduced by our government to safeguard the rights of the underprivileged.

But affirmative action is not just a matter of making wiser and better policies. Affirmative action must first take root within the person for it involves a change in attitude. Without an affirmative attitude there can be no worthwhile or lasting affirmative action.

The gospel of Jesus is concerned with an affirmative attitude, or more precisely, the need to avoid discrimination. Jesus makes it abundantly clear there are no outsiders in His Kingdom. He sets a new standard in human relationships and challenges people, whenever they give a “lunch or dinner” to invite every kind of person to the reception, no matter what their class or social distinction. What could be more forthright and challenging than the following statement of Jesus: “Whenever you have a reception, invite beggars and the crippled, the lame and the blind. You should be pleased that they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid in the resurrection of the just.”.

A Christian community should be an amalgam of every social class. What a witness it is to see a community made up of different ethnic groups, different classes of people; people of different talents, gifts and distinction, working together towards the same goal; namely, the following of Christ.

The key that unlocks such wonderful possibilities within the community of mankind is humility. Humility, as theologians are quick to point out, is not to be confused with lack of confidence or lack of self-esteem. Humility is the truth. The kind of truth that enables us to see ourselves as we really are, without putting on airs, without prejudice. The kind of truth that leads to an appreciation of other people’s talents and gifts and that is not afraid to affirm those who possess such qualities. In a Christian community there is no room for pride or jealousy, because there is too much to be done and so much to be grateful for.

In the spirit of the Gospel, let us reach out to those who are weak, different, or new; knowing that if we do this we will be repaid in the resurrection of the just.

Fr. Hugh Duffy