22 Sunday C

I go to a fruit shop,mainly because the staff are so good humoured.I was struggling to open a plastic bag.A young man saw my frustrating efforts.He whipped open a bag ,and presented it to me.The man was from Poland.Having an eye for ‘the other’is surely the bottom line of religion and life.I suppose the word is respect,which means seeing again,and with the eyes of the heart .I think that the Jesus Story to day is about that kind of respect.Caring parents with children are angels of respect.Some say that that they don’t need to pray,that their life is prayer.Others say that it is only natural,and that is good,but it is the person in dirty shabby skin that challenges our respect,people who are selfish in the family ,in a neighbour ,on the road of life.Those who think different,the prisoner.Jesus tells us that we have to take risks at times for respect sake,and not pass bye the wounded of our human family.We are all wounded and flawed,but also loved in God.If we can catch some of that love in our own hearts,then we begin to see it in other human hearts,and with Gods help we can be wounded healers.