don't judge a man by his relatives
"Isn't this the carpenter's Son? Isn't Mary known to be His mother and James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas His brothers? Aren't His sisters our neighbors? Where did He get all this?" —Matthew 13:55-56
Jesus' hometown folk rejected Him because they judged Him based on his relatives. People make the same mistake to the present day. Gandhi, for example, was very impressed by Jesus, but never became a Christian because he was unimpressed with Jesus' relatives, that is, us, Jesus' brothers and sisters. Many people say they quit the Church because of the hypocrites in it. They too reject Jesus because of His so-called followers. How many people turn their backs on Jesus because they were offended by a pastor or some other person in their church?
Judge Jesus based on His crucifixion and resurrection for love of you. Judge Jesus based on His nail-scarred hands and thorn-crowned head. Judge Jesus for Himself and not for us, His relatives.
Judge yourself for any sins by which you deface and obscure the image of Jesus in your life. Judge yourself for not fully responding to His crucified and risen love, for Jesus will judge you on Judgment Day.
Prayer: Father, help me fix my eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2).
Promise: "Jesus said to them, 'No prophet is without honor except in his native place, indeed in his own house.' " —Mt 13:57
Praise: St. Alphonsus heard God tell him, "Leave the world, and give yourself to Me." He then abandoned his law practice and entered the seminary.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Judgment Day on audio AV 75-3 or video V-75.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Richard L. Klug, February 27, 2003
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 3, 2003