The First Pew Reserved for Wealth
The Gospels illustrate to us a remarkable image of Jesus Christ. The Incarnate Lord became like one of us in all ways except sin, showing love and care for all of us, who are created in His image and likeness. Christ proclaims in the Scriptures "Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24). He condemns the accumulation of wealth at the expense of others.
Yet, in significant contrast to the message of the Gospels, too often within our dioceses as a whole there appears to be a strong preference for courting the wealthy while neglecting those who contribute less, as if their contribution is meaningless without a lot of zeros at the end. This disparity raises profound questions about the authenticity of our faith communities and their adherence to Christ’s teachings. We cannot serve God and mammon.
It is disheartening to witness exclusive events hosted for significant benefactors—lavish dinners, private receptions, or recognition ceremonies that subtly or overtly create a hierarchy among parishioners. It makes one wonder if there is a psychology to all of this to create division between the people, so that we do not unite as one front against the lukewarm leaders of the Church in defending the Faith. Invitations to these gatherings, such as the Stewardship Appeal reception often hinge on financial contributions, leaving many faithful Catholics, whose means are modest, feeling excluded or even worse, undervalued. Even more concerning, they seem to be held to prioritize wealthy donors, subtly implying that those who cannot give substantial amounts are less worthy of acknowledgment or appreciation, and therefore are not invited to such events.
During the years when I could afford to give more as a public school teacher I was invited to the Stewardship Appeal reception, but in more recent years my donation has been less as a result of choosing to make less money to work in a Catholic school so that I do not have to sell my soul. It is much more of a sacrifice for me now to give what I give, even though it is less, and yet sacrifice is taken out of the equation because it is only the amount that seems to matter.
The reality is who actually cares about being wined, dined, and schmoozed by the Church leaders, but it is the principle of the matter that those who give less seem to be undervalued. The Church is right there on the forefront for the poor, celebrating the riches of the upper class for their significant monetary contributions, but what about the middle class who often struggle to make ends meet, yet still make a contribution to the Church?
This behavior is not just a matter of poor optics; it cuts to the heart of what it means to live as the Mystical Body of Christ. Jesus’ parables and actions consistently exalt the humble and condemn favoritism based on wealth or status. He praised the widow who gave her two small coins—“all she had to live on” (Mark 12:43-44)—as an example of true generosity, in contrast to the rich who gave out of their surplus. How, then, can practices in the Church that elevate the wealthy to a higher status while overlooking the contributions of those with less to give, align with our values as Catholics, who are followers of Christ?
The Church’s mission is to serve, to evangelize, to minister to all, and to be a refuge for those seeking spiritual nourishment, and this mission is jeopardized when actions contradict the words of the Gospel. By placing financial benefactors first and foremost, dioceses risk compromising this mission. The Gospel warns against such practices: “When you give a banquet, invite those who cannot repay you, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:13-14). Yet, the opposite often occurs, with those who give less left outside the banquet hall, figuratively and sometimes literally.
This issue is about integrity and fidelity to the Gospel. The Church’s call to treat all with dignity and respect is not a mere slogan; it is a mandate rooted in Christ’s own ministry. When dioceses prioritize wealth, they risk alienating many faithful Catholics and undermining the Church’s mission. Are not the poor, wealthy, and middle class all equal and dignity?
Of course, the Church requires financial resources to carry out its mission, and those who can give generously should be encouraged to do so. However, there is a crucial distinction between gratitude for generosity and favoritism based on financial contributions. True stewardship recognizes that every gift, whether large or small, is valuable in God’s eyes. It seeks to create a community where all are welcomed and valued, regardless of their material means.
To address this issue, dioceses should strive to take concrete steps to re-evaluate certain practices that seem to conflict with the Gospels. First, there needs to be a resistance against the temptation to prioritize the wealthy over others. This could possibly mean changing how donor appreciation events are structured or ensuring that stewardship appeal messages emphasize the spiritual value of giving rather than the amount given. There should be a conscious and purposeful effort to recognize and celebrate the contributions of all parishioners, whether they have five-thousand dollars or donated fifty dollars.
In a world that often measures worth by wealth, the Church has a unique and prophetic role to play. It is called to uphold Christ’s teaching that the last shall be first and the humble shall be exalted. By rejecting practices that favor the rich and embracing the Gospel’s call to authenticity and humility, the Church can more authentically reflect the love of Christ and fulfill its mission to be a light to the nations.
As Catholics, it is of the utmost importance that we hold our dioceses accountable in promoting the values that are near and dear to our hearts as Catholics. I believe we have a responsibility to speak out against practices that contradict the Gospels and work to build up our Catholic communities where everyone feels valued and appreciated. When we live in imitation of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve, we embrace the heart of our faith. He invites all of us—rich and modest alike—to His table, and it is up to us to ensure that invitation is felt by everyone in our Church despite their social status.
Very true!
A stinging indictment!