Father Ignatius approached the lectern and said, "A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark Chapter 9 Verses 38 to 41. ‘Teacher,’ said John, ‘we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.’
‘Do not stop him,’
Jesus said. ‘For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment
say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. Truly I
tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to
the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.’ "
The priest waited until they all sat down and then started his sermon, "Once upon a time there was a zebra which looked different from the rest of the herd. People don't like different, do they? Zebras don't like different either.
"This zebra had its stripes horizontally. Instead of having the stripes vertically around the body like all other zebras, this one had its stripes horizontally from the neck to the rear. The other zebras did not like that. They said he was not ‘one of us’. Whatever that means. They wanted the zebra out of the herd.
"They debated, they argued, and then they voted. And the zebra was thrown out of the herd to roam all alone, lonely, and defenceless. It soon got attacked by hyenas and was killed. They did not care which way the stripes went.”
He waited a moment or two as he usually does to make a point and then continued, “Sounds familiar, does it not? The zebra looked different and was not welcome in the herd. The disciples had the same attitude towards the stranger who performed miracles in Christ’s name yet was not one of the disciples.
"And to a large extent, so are we too, are we not. We may well wish to deny it, but deep down we are all prejudiced in some form or other, including me. It is in our very nature to be prejudiced about something or other. We’re too quick to judge. We all have our likes and dislikes and we react differently to peoples’ appearances, attire, age, accents, and the multitude of other feelings we have towards each other.
"When Jesus walked this earth, He must have met many poor people whose clothes were dirty and torn. Lepers too, as well as prostitutes and evil-doers of all kinds. He didn’t use our prejudices in order to avoid them and judge them. Instead, He used pity, compassion and love to help them to a better life.
"Jesus taught us not to judge so that we may not be judged. Have you ever wondered whether in life someone has been prejudiced against you without your knowledge? That job or promotion you did not get for instance? Or the way you’ve been treated by certain people?
"Dear Lord, forgive us if we have unintentionally sinned through our prejudices and treatment of others and teach us to be more aware of our weaknesses and help us to overcome them. Amen."
EXCERPT FROM
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...we all are a bit different and isn't that a blessing?
ReplyDeleteYou missed the point, Tom. Father Ignatius is not talking about being different; but being prejudiced against our differences.
DeleteGod bless.
Fr. Ignatius is so wise, isn't he? Beautiful reminder for us all to see others as Jesus sees them. Blessings, Victor!
ReplyDeleteThe thing is, Martha; we are all prejudiced in one way or another, even though we might deny it to ourselves. Usually, prejudice stems from fear of the unknown, of the other person and their views or opinions which might not be like ours.
DeleteGod bless you, my friend.
All true, however the tribalism currently permeating society overshadows these virtues.
ReplyDeleteLet us pray for understanding and peace in the world.
DeleteGod bless.
I have to tell you Victor, I tend to be the one who is different and doesn't fit in.
ReplyDeleteWe are all different in our own way, Sandie. But we're unique and special in God's eyes.
DeleteGod bless always.
I echo your words Victor ...
ReplyDeleteLet us pray for understanding and peace in the world.
Amen.
All the best Jan
Amen.
DeleteGod bless you, Jan.
I remember this story. Good things bear repeating, even when the meat of the matter's sometimes tough to swallow.
ReplyDeleteMany thanx, Mevely. Yes, this is a story from my book published some time ago.
DeleteGod bless you always.
I seldom hear much on this subject, especially using scripture. As always My Brother Ignatius has the best advice. I believe it was today that I used him in a PS on my blog. That dude is smart. You would do well to pay closer attention to him. He has some deep/simple thoughts that even I can understand and appreciate. But I know you do your best my friend. ;-)
ReplyDeleteTHANKS
Thank you so much Jack for your support of my writings. It is sad but true that prejudice in one form or another exists in our very nature. God knows that because He created us.
DeleteHere's a thought: perhaps He allowed prejudice in our lives to teach us to work hard at loving one another. Jesus was without prejudice. Can we truly follow His example.
God bless you and your family, Jack.
For the one I missed yesterday. I was a Marine. I had asked Sherry to Marry me next weekend, she said YES. Next week on the way home I made a bed with another Marine, who said he was marrying the same weekend, I knew he was BS'ing. We made a bet $50 If one did not get married he paid the $50! $50 ws nearly a month's pay!
ReplyDeleteWhen I told Sherry I had the money for a great Honeymoon, I had a bet we would get married. OUCH
"I WILL NOT MARRY YOU ON A BET!" and she did not that weekend, but thanks be neither did my friend. True dat. It was a month or so before we did finally tie the knot (tight)
Love from the next sand bar over
What a truly wonderful story, Jack. I like it.
DeleteAnd what a great person Sherry is to say she will not marry you on a bet. Very courageous and brave. What a great wife you got there ... a month later.
God bless you both. What an example you are to all of us. Thanx.
Yes and amen. All of us, in the split second we see a person for the first time, make a judgment. We can't help it, it's automatic, and it's for survival because at one time in human existence, knowing friend from foe instantly could save your life.
ReplyDeleteNow we generally aren't afraid for our lives when we see the person, so we have to grab the judgment which comes up and consciously set it aside, and get to know the person.
It can be done.