HOMILY FOR FRIDAY: BEFORE EPIPHANY – YEAR B
THEME: TRUTH IN LOVE
BY: Bishop Gerald .M. Musa
1 John 3:11-18; John 1:45-51;
There is a huge difference between close-mindedness and open-mindedness. A proverb that emphasises the value of open-mindedness says, “A mind is like a parachute; it only works when it is open.” Philip invited Nathaniel (Bartholomew) to come and see Jesus of Nazareth and Nathaniel remarked, “What good can come out of Nazareth?” There was a prevalent prejudice against Nazareth.
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The little town was considered to be socially, politically, intellectually, and historically insignificant to have produced the Messiah. We too fall into the trap of prejudice when we look down on people, dismiss, underrate and discriminate against people because of their family background, race, ethnic group, social status, gender, religious affiliation, or nationality. Stereotype means having fixed and uncritical beliefs,opinions, or attitudes toward certain persons or groups of people. Wise people rightly describe prejudice as a child of ignorance. Prejudice isalso a mental slavery which leads to all forms of discrimination against people.
Many people did not take Jesus seriously just because he was the son of a carpenter or simply because he came from a little town. Having met Jesus, the scales of prejudice fell out from the eyes of Nathaniel and led him to declare his faith in Jesus, “Truly, you are the son of God, and you are the king of Israel.” Can we identify some of our prejudices and make efforts to overcome them?
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