Prejudice is a previously formed concept or opinion, without further consideration or understanding of the facts. It is a pre-judgment.

Exactly for being an exaggerated random judgment, it has been the cause for much injustice.

Wars were declared due to racial prejudice. Nations judged themselves superior to others and subdued those believed to be inferior.

Due to prejudice, the most hyperactive or sagacious child, the left-handed, the different was taken as the one deserving punishment. Simply for being different from the others.

Prejudice separates people, segregates communities and restrains progress.

It is therefore strange to see prejudice among those claiming to be

religious.

Prejudice among adepts of different religions, each one claiming to be the only qualified to the Kingdom of God and pointing out the path to unhappiness for those who do not follow the same faith.

The issue becomes more serious when criticism flourishes due to the presence of certain people in another religion's temple.

How come, it is said, this person with a history of so many sins, dares to enter this religious temple? How come, with so many mistakes?

When such nonsense is said, we remind you that if the early Christians had behaved this way, we would never have known the unique worth of Paul of Tarsus.

He had his hands tainted by the blood from the first execution of a Jesus' follower.

He was the persecutor of the Glad Tidings.

But the persecutor becomes the Gospel herald. Being persecuted, he will be a witness of the Truth until his death.

The propagation of the Gospel beyond the borders of Israel is credited to him.

Jesus used to say that He had not come for the sane, because these do not need a doctor.

I came for the lost sheep, He once said. He then breaks the prejudice barriers and has a meeting with a Samaritan at Jacob's well.

He heals the servant of the Roman centurion and praises his behavior, publicly confessing that He had never seen such an expression of faith in Israel.

He accepts invitations for meals and is present in the homes of former lepers and publicans. He accompanies women said to be sinful.

He concedes interviews to the lawyer, to the rich young man, and to Herod's steward's woman.

They are all in debt of His love and God's mercy.

*   *   *

If our Model and Guide so behaved, think about how much more we, still fragile and with problems, must have compassion for those who, like us, tried to get it right, but are not always successful.

Like our going to the Temple of our faith nourishes our energies, let us not create barriers to prevent others from getting the same benefits.

If there are mistakes, faults, the problem belongs to the Divine Justice.

The brotherly support, the friendly shoulder, and the charity of compassion belongs to us.

Think about it.

Spiritist Moment Team.
April 05.2010.