Thursday July 27, 2017
“They look without seeing and listen without hearing.” It’s normal! What we usually see and hear are words! You meet someone who has the name of being, for example, an angry man. You see and wait only for some manifestation of anger. Attitudes you would call strength or vigor or manliness in another, you interpret as anger in this man. And if he seems as gentle as a lamb, you say, “How well he conceals his anger!” You see him only as anger. He might as well have the word ‘Anger’ branded across his forehead! It is the same with places: you have an idea - or rather a word – to describe this or that town, this or that country; and all the inhabitants are expected to exemplify it to perfection! But people are able to challenge our prejudices; they are able to talk back. Imagine, by comparison, how well our prejudices survive when they are never challenged! Imagine, further, how they put down deeper roots and flourish when we sanctify them with the name of religious tradition! That was the force that confronted Jesus as he walked the roads of Palestine. That is the force that confronts him to this day as he walks our roads.