There is an old saying: “You cannot judge a book by its cover”. However aren’t people accepted or treated for their looks, status and wealth? Are we treating people for their outer appearance or prestige? The first reading insists that God is impartial, and therefore we cannot love only the ones attractive in our sight. All people we meet must be treated with equal love and respect, for the heavenly Father loves all His children in the same measure. Interestingly, when we see the Gospel proclamation, we learn how only St. Peter was endowed with the ability to first recognize Jesus as the son of God. Yet, the Lord Jesus always had the freedom and courage to rebuke St. Peter whenever he tried to go against the will of the heavenly Father, saying “get behind me Satan’’. Do we possess the same freedom and capacity to shun all falsehood and distractions that rob us of our freedom to fully serve and obey our Lord and God? If not, it is not too late, let us start today, let us ask for God’s grace to make it possible.

Prayer: Abba Father, help me to identify the distractions on my journey and avoid them wisely. Amen.