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Your words today, O Lord, invite me to examine and reflect sincerely how do I look at others, what do I think, what do I search on others I meet or encounter?
With his shield bearer marching before him, the Philistine advanced closer and closer to David. When he had sized David up, and seen that he was youthful, and ruddy, and handsome in appearance, he held David in contempt.
1 Samuel 17:41-42
Forgive us, dear God our Father when so often we "size" up everyone we meet, when we always try competing with everyone, examining their outward appearances to compare them with our very selves, with our competencies and abilities, or records and backgrounds.
Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him.
Mark 3:1-2
But the most unkindest look we make at others is when we condition ourselves at finding faults and sins and slightest malice against others for whatever they do; what a shame when our hearts and minds "see" evil when what our eyes truly "see" is all good.
How difficult it must be for you, merciful Jesus, to experience it happening even among us who claim to be your disciples and followers, that until now you are "filled with anger and grieving for our hardness of heart" (Mk.3:5).
Cleanse our minds and our hearts to find your image and likeness in everyone we meet, purify our biases with others so we start to mean what we keep on hearing and saying to one another, "may the Lord be with you". Amen.
