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April 4, 2014
Scripture readings: Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 7; John 7:40-53
Today’s Gospel shows us the evil and stupidity of prejudice. Crowds of people, and even some Pharisees, are awed by Jesus’ words and deeds. But most of the Pharisees, learned in biblical studies, refuse to accept Jesus or His mission.
They are hung up on Jesus as a man from Nazareth, sure that the Messiah must come from Judea.
All the miracles that show us the messianic power of Jesus, all the inspiring teachings of the Word of God, are brushed aside by the Pharisees, who never bother to find out that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in Judea.
How many people do we dismiss because of prejudiced judgments on our part? The mistakes and prejudice of the Pharisees strongly remind us to give people a fair judgment before we condemn them.
Rev. Joseph Krastel, C.Ss.R.
Annapolis, Md.