So many subjective judgments are made in these times about peoples, their culture, their way of life. St Paul states in 1 Cor 1:28“those whom the world thinks common and contemptible (those who are not privileged to be like us) are the ones that God has chosen—those who are nothing at all to show up those who are everything”.

Travesty it has been, that throughout time in memorial, so many have been condemned simply for looking differently, living differently or just speaking a different language.

In today’s gospel Jesus’ very own disciples, the ones closest to him, hasten to his side to boast that they have stopped a man acting on his behalf, because he is not of their own fold. It is inexcusable—almost an unforgivable sin—that someone who is “not one of us” should be denied the experience of something as wonderful and precious as the encounter with Jesus.

The world over, numerous conflicts continue to arise on the grounds of race, colour, religion and political affiliation, with a view to making us share the same ideas and views about life itself. In our own homes and communities we are not immune from these challenges of co-existing harmoniously in spite of being intrinsically different from each other.

Sometimes we live as though having a gift, a talent, being smarter or supposedly being “closer” to God than others, is reason to treat others as less than or as though they do not belong. Like the disciples we seek to leave out those who are not in the same category as ourselves, sometimes even ostracising them.

In our communities there are too many instances when persons are looked down on because they are not “filled with the Holy Spirit”, or not able to articulate themselves well enough. We see this in the relationships between the old and the young and vice versa. We should ask ourselves “where is the Master’s teaching in all of this.”

Often times we are so caught up with who we are that our attitude towards others reflects that of the disciples in today’s gospel. Mere pettiness comes to the fore. It is as if our eyes are covered over by a veil, which impairs the vision of our folly, making us believe we are doing it all for the Lord.

A few years ago I was transferred to my present school. It was around the third month of being there when an urgent matter came up. It was put to the staff for comment, and outside of the official meeting I attempted to volunteer my opinion and was immediately shafted with “You have no say because you just come.” I was stunned and unsure as how to respond for what I viewed as ‘out of line’ and out of place remark.

Today Christ looks to save us from the snares of the devil which include the snares of our own human frailties; frailties that are obstacles to our own faith.

Can the eye say to the nose I am more important than you? Is the CEO more important than a garbage collector or a doctor more important than a farmer?  God used saints such as Bernadette, the Little Flower – St Therese, St John Vianney, despite being deemed nobodies.

We should instead revel in our differences, differences that help build up God’s kingdom, where everyone has a place and part to play, big or small.  God’s kingdom is one of inclusion; he wants ALL to be saved.

Dear God, help us to be like you, help us to realise that our talents do not make us better than others. Lord, give us hearts like Jesus, eyes of wisdom and knowledge to perceive and understand that God’s way is not man’s, help us not to be guided by prejudice, but rather to seek to include, to be of assistance rather than an obstacle.
Lord, save us from discontentment when we see others doing your work though belonging to other faiths. Let us not glory in our gifts and talents but let us be humble in the building up of your kingdom, Amen.

Gospel Meditations for the month of October are by Richard Gomez a teacher at Sacred Heart Boys’ and a layminister of the Cathedral/Sacred Heart parish