Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
The expression, ‘you can’t judge a book by its cover’ speaks volumes towards todays’ readings. In the first reading, we encounter Solomon in all of his glory. Clearly, his wealth is abundant for all to see. Many have come to seek his counsel and adorn him with gifts. Indeed, Solomon’s gifts are abundant. Yet as clear as the opulence surrounding him, Solomon’s greater gift is the one within him, wisdom. This gift alone makes Solomon one of the most spiritually rich men in his day. The gift of wisdom allows Solomon to draw others into his wonderful experience of God.
In the Gospel, Jesus is trying to draw people to God by helping people understand what drives people away from God. He tries to explain to his own disciples that what comes from the heart is what defiles a person, not what one eats. From within a person comes thoughts or feelings that can lead one toward darkness. This is, of course, not to say that external realities play no role in our being led astray. It reminds us that we need to examine our interior life, so one can understand the desires or drive of their heart.
Sometimes such an examination makes me wonder where these sinful feelings come from. Although I have no real answer, the best I can come up with is that we are in part slaves to the human condition. Whether we consider fight or flight or any other evolutionary or non-evolutionary perspective, we are left with the reality that sometimes good people do bad things. We need to be careful not to allow someone’s bad actions to define them. If we really believe that you can’t judge a book by the cover, then we must have enough reverence of people to see God in everyone.
Lord, help us to have vision like you, so that we can recognize the goodness in everyone. Call us, like you did your disciples, to commit our hearts to trust You and to act in Your ways. In this way, all of our thoughts, words, and deeds will reflect Your love from the inside out. Amen!
-Michael Montgomery