Rev 21: 9b-14
Ps 144: 10-11, 12-13ab, 17-18
Jn 1: 45-51
Prejudice: Obstacle to Spiritual Growth
We come across in the Gospels Jesus’ encounter with different individuals and those individuals undergoing radical transformation. But the encounter Nathanial had with Jesus through Philip was a little different. Jesus appreciated the innocence of Nathaniel, although he had asked Philip “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” When Nathanial met Jesus he understood the personality of Jesus, as one who is sent by God and he had no hesitation to acknowledge it. Although Nathanial had prejudice about the person of Jesus, the first meeting with Jesus itself removed the prejudice.
Prejudice is an obstacle to accepting truth and accepting persons as they are. The Jewish leaders, Scribes and Pharisees, had prejudice against Jesus and this prejudice emanated from their self righteousness, egoism and vested interests. As a result they were not able to overcome their prejudice. They even accused Jesus that he was performing miracles with the help of Beelzebul. On the other hand, the prejudice of Nathanial was due to his ignorance; but basically he was an open person. That is why Jesus made the comment about him, “Here is a real Israelite; there is nothing false in him.”
Not only individuals but also communities have prejudices against other communities and often it results in discrimination, injustice, oppression and violence. High caste people often have prejudice against low caste people that they are polluted because of their birth or the occupation in which they are involved. People belonging to one religion have prejudices against the followers other religions. Religious teachings like “only my religion is true religion” or “only my religion has the fullness of truth” leads to looking at the followers other religions as inferior. Often wrong interpretation of religious texts and the vested interests of religious leaders nurture prejudice in the people and may result in religious strife. Hence we have to avoid the religious preachers who cast aspersions on other religions. Religious leaders who preach hatred against the followers of other religions are in fact criminals.
Prejudice is a hindrance to spiritual growth. Readiness and willingness to learn and understand other persons, people, religions and cultures can help us to be liberated from prejudice. When we hear negative remarks about others, other religions or cultures we should not blindly believe it. We will have to verify ourselves by making a visit to the person concerned and having a discussion with him/her. Because of prejudice we may not able to make use of opportunities available to us. If a person speaks to us ill of another person we should never pass it over to another person. Not entertaining gossip and rumours will help us not to be prejudiced.
Jesus was liberated from many prejudices which the Jewish people had. That is why he could communicate with a Samaritan woman and transform her, to accept a prostitute and bring about change in her, to choose a tax collector as his disciple, to present a Samaritan as role model of compassion, to extol the faith of a Roman officer. Today prejudice has become a great obstacle to build harmony among the followers of different religions in our country. As followers of Jesus we have a great responsibility to be liberated from prejudices, especially prejudice based on religion and work for removing prejudices from the hearts and minds of people, especially from the young minds.
Fr Jacob Peenickaparambil CMI
