By Norm McGraw
Reflecting on the fact that God offers salvation to even the least amongst us, I thought about how I view my fellow man. Do I view them with the same prejudice as the high priests viewed tax collectors and prostitutes? Have I ever met someone who, upon first impression, I either dismissed or found repulsive, but later discovered was a good person?
Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13
Matthew 21:28-32
The readings for Tuesday’s Mass of the third week of Advent indicate that God’s plan for our entering His Kingdom is open to all of us, whether we are rich or poor, respected or despised by society. Those who reject His Word will not enter His Kingdom, and those who do will be welcomed.
The gospel reading from the 21st chapter of St. Matthew recounts Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and his telling of parables that illustrate his Divine authority to the religious leaders. In Tuesday’s passage, Jesus tells the priests the story of a man who orders his two sons to work in his vineyard. One says he won’t, but later changes his mind and does. The other says that he will, but doesn’t. Jesus asks the elders which of the two sons followed his father’s will. They respond that it is the former.
The parable reveals that the imperfect can receive the rewards of the Kingdom of God. He tells the priests: “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. When John (the Baptist) came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe; but tax collectors and prostitutes did.”
Tuesday’s readings also include a passage from the 34th chapter of Psalms, which emphasizes God’s mercy with the downtrodden. Written at a dark time during King David’s life, it expresses God’s love for those without. This thought is crystallized in one phrase: “The Lord hears the cry of the poor.”
The third reading for Tuesday’s Mass is from the 3rd chapter of the Book of Zephaniah. Zephaniah, whose name means “the watchman of the Lord,” was the ninth of the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament. Written between 640 and 622 B.C. during the reign of King Josiah of Judah, this book warned Judah not to fail to live up to its covenant with God. Two generations earlier, when northern Israel rejected the Divine covenant, they were conquered by the Assyrians. Zephaniah states: “Thus says the LORD: Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted, to the tyrannical city!” Later, the passage continues, “For then I will change and purify the lips of the peoples.” Later, it states, “For I will remove from your midst the proud braggarts.” Continuing, it tells that those who are faithful to God’s Word will “take refuge in the name of the LORD” and will “do no wrong and speak no lies.”
Reflecting on the fact that God offers salvation to even the least amongst us, I thought about how I view my fellow man. Do I view them with the same prejudice as the high priests viewed tax collectors and prostitutes? Have I ever met someone who, upon first impression, I either dismissed or found repulsive, but later discovered was a good person?
Because I thought this question was so interesting, I asked it of two individuals—one an agnostic, the other with both Catholic and Jewish heritage. I have mentioned them before in previous reflections. I found their responses to this question illuminating.
My agnostic friend viewed the repulsive reaction as a natural human defense against the unknown, an act of self-survival.
My friend with Catholic and Jewish heritage could remember an instance where she reacted to a person that she met at the gym where she works out 3 or 4 times a week. Looking as if he were in his mid-fifties, this portly fellow with a shaggy beard was shabbily dressed and spoke with a gruff voice. However, as she began talking to him, she discovered that he was in his eighties, reasonably intelligent, and a successful businessman. She told me that when meeting new people, she tries to avoid pre-judging them by remembering a saying her Jewish father told her when she was little: “God is watching”.
I recall an instance in my early twenties when I was dismissive of someone who was trying to be my friend. Finally, after several occasions when I acted like a jerk, I changed my attitude. That person that I “blew off” so many years ago is now a good friend and has been writing lyrics to my melodies for decades.
These divergent viewpoints I just presented need not be contradictory. It is natural to feel hesitant about meeting new people, but it is Godlike to be open to love.
Make the Bible your training manual for life. Zephaniah warned the Israelites of their fate if they rejected God’s will. Jesus told the high priests that those they despise will receive heavenly rewards because of the latter’s faith. Scripture tells us that we should view our fellow man as God does---with love. During this season of Lent, shouldn’t we “take refuge in the name of the LORD” (Zephaniah 21:30) so that we can enter “the Kingdom of God” (Matthew:30).
After all, as my friend’s father put it — “God is watching.”