For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:27-28)
I just finished watching a report on the morning news about the history of the black civil rights movement and how prejudice is still ingrained in the city of Detroit, and its surrounding areas, where I live. Remembering my own ancestors’ stories about the infamous riots that marred this city’s recent past, I do agree we have quite a long way to go toward forgiveness and reparation in this area.
I started to reflect on my own “prejudices,” what makes me find another person unlikeable and as someone with whom I don’t want to associate. Though I know I am probably drawn to others who “look like me,” I am not as influenced by outward appearance as I used to be. I think this is mostly because I have immersed myself in the teachings of our late pope, John Paul II. His catechesis on the Theology of the Body, and his other teachings about the inherent dignity of the human person, has helped me to realize that knowledge of Jesus Christ is the solution to the division that pervades the human condition.
“Jesus Christ fully reveals man to himself, and makes his supreme calling clear.” (Guadium et Spes 22) This was one of John Paul II’s favorite quotes. God became man to show us once again what it means to be truly human, and to see all human beings, whatever their race, sex, culture or appearance, as made in the image and likeness of God.
When human beings see others through the eyes of “prejudice,” we reveal our “woundedness,” the result of sin. Christ came to heal these wounds by changing the desires of our “hearts.” (Ezekiel 26: 36, Romans 2: 15-16.)
Knowing this, the criteria I should employ to evaluate my association with another person should begin with trying to read what is in his or her “heart.” I do this by evaluating words and actions. (See Matt. 5:27-28 and “Pope John Paul II, Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body, Pauline Books & Media, Boston, Mass, 2006, pg. 232.”)
When I meet another person whose words and actions show that he or she is so wrapped up in his or her own concerns and blames others for problems rather than by looking in the mirror, it is this type of person I want to avoid. When I meet another person who thinks others are a “means to an end,” a thing to be used for his or her own gratification, I should commit such people to prayer, and look elsewhere for human companionship. And with Christ’s help, I should try to make myself for others what I want others to be for me.
We all need to realize, with the help of Christ, that God made all human beings unique, each with an unrepeatable reason for existence. When at their best, all people uniquely image God. We need to see each other, and ourselves, as a “gift” to be given to others. Only when we realize this can we truly make any progress toward healing prejudice and division in our society and in our world.
