Revelation 21:9b-14,
PSALM Ps145:10-11.12-13ab.17-18,
John 1:45-51 Full Readings
Avoiding Prejudice
Today we celebrate the feast day of Saint Bartholomew, one of the twelve also identified with Nathaniel whom we see being brought by Philip to Jesus in the Gospel today. Nathaniel had prejudice about Nazareth and that's why when Philip tells him that he had found the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, he asked, can anything good come from Nazareth? What a prejudice! However, his prejudice is cleared by Jesus' response after telling him who he really is and that he had seen him under the fig tree.
Most times we may form prejudices about people, places, and certain things, so much that even if we testify something good from the person or place, we cannot believe but instead we have to rationalize it again and again. Today's Gospel teaches us not to form such prejudices for there is always good in every one, every place and in everything. God created everything in this world good, then why do we judge what God created good as good for nothing and we despise it.
Prejudice not only stops us from seeing something good in someone or a place but also affects our relationship and attitudes towards them. If you know that all people from a certain village are thieves according to you, most probably you will not have anything to do with them, but the truth is that one experience cannot make you to conclude generally. There is always good in everything.
Even in our church, there are many prejudices towards people especially to our religious leaders. You find, someone saying, oh if it is father so and so, I will not go for mass, and I have heard many of such statements. We form many images of our religious leaders and this affects us in our spiritual growth as there is nothing we can hear or take from him or her whether good or bad. The same attitude is normally formed towards the people who have grown at our exposure, and when we think he or she cannot become anybody. After he or she has succeeded, we cannot in any way believe it.
So brethren, today's Gospel encourages us to stop such attitudes. Let us try always to experience the person or a place personally and also know that everything God created is good and so there is good in everything. Reflect today on how you form prejudices towards people.Have you started clearing those prejudices? Let today's Gospel challenge you. Through the intercession of Saint Bartholomew, let us implore God to help us always see good in everything.
Let us pray
Lord Jesus, in you is the fullness of all goodness, may your goodness help us recognise goodness in everything before we criticize them. Amen
St Bartholomew, pray for us. Be blessed.
May i always see good in everything
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