The long form of today's first reading is one of the longest in the liturgical cycle. From the Book of Daniel, it reads like a courtroom novel. In the end, truth wins out and the bad guys are held accountable. (Wouldn't it be nice if that happened more often?)
In the Gospel reading from John 8, Jesus speaks to the Pharisees who question Him about testifying on His own behalf. In His response, He says, "You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone."
Jesus did not dress like the Pharisees and the religious leaders. He was a simple rabbi from Galilee. He didn't "look the part." This always reminds me to be careful to not judge by appearances. Honestly, we're so conditioned to do so. We have certain expectations of how people should look. As we're told in the story of David's anointing by Samuel, God sees the heart. Can we set aside our prejudices and do the same?
Father, help us to look beyond appearances and see into people's hearts. Amen.
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