August 24, 2024, John 1:45 – 50|
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082424.cfm
Prejudice Gets Us Off on the Wrong Foot
St. Bartholomew, also known as Nathaniel, was introduced to Jesus by St. Philip. He preached the gospel in the most barbarous countries in the east, going as far as India. He was martyred for his faith in Jesus.
Like all of us, Bartholomew experienced a conversion to Jesus. When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, Bartholomew was skeptical. His immediate response was, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
It’s easy to label and stereotype people without knowing them personally. We quickly form an opinion of others based on what we’ve heard or believe to be true about a person’s background.
That can easily prejudice us and keep us from loving someone who could become a saint! Beneath a person’s background and culture is an individual with hopes, dreams, and potential.
We must never allow our prejudices to mislead our conclusions about other people. The only sure way is to get to know them on the inside. Only then can we love them as Jesus commanded us. Isn’t this what happens when we go to confession? The priest hears our sins and absolves them so we can discover who we are before the Lord.
Jesus is not someone from the past but our living Lord who calls us as he called St. Bartholomew and all the Apostles. Notice how that encounter with Jesus changed his life and its direction. Let us not base our opinion about Jesus on what others say but on our encounters with him daily in prayer and with the people we meet.
Gospel Challenge!
Let us “Come and see for ourselves.”
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
