Change begins with us

Sep 06, 2024

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8;
James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27;
Gospel: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

In recent years, there has been a growing trend among content creators to produce videos centred on practicing moral values in society. A prevalent theme in these videos is the issue of profiling individuals based on their appearance or skin colour.

For example, we often see videos of CEOs going undercover as low-paid employees or even posing as customers. While these scenarios are not new and reflect timeless moral values that have existed for thousands of years, they highlight a persistent issue: despite our efforts to instil these values in everyday life, prejudice and bias continue to thrive. The question remains: why, despite extensive education and awareness campaigns, does a lack of respect still prevail in society?

There are two possible explanations. The first has to do with the sheer amount of content that has been produced in the recent years. The biggest channel is Dhar Mann, whose tag line is “changing the world one video at a time” I remember watching the first few videos and it had quite a profound impact one me but after too many videos, fatigue started to set in. The videos became predictable and thus diminishing the effect. After all, too much of a good thing isn’t necessarily healthy. The second is accessibility to social media. Despite advances in technology and smart phones becoming more affordable, there are still many people who do not have access to these gadgets. Of course, we can argue that these values are also taught in schools. Alas, even this can be inaccessible, especially if one does not see the importance of going to school.

How can we impart these values more effectively? At the recent Regional Pastoral Assembly, one of the themes discussed during the Conversation in the Spirit was ‘Society.’ I highlighted a point about racial prejudice and societal divisions, noting the lack of unity that persists. Prejudice of any kind will continue as long as we fail to educate the younger generation. Values are first instilled in the family before anything else. I recall my grandaunt expressing a dislike for Indians, a sentiment not unique to the Chinese community alone. However, as a child, I had friends from all races and never saw them as different. Whether we were poor, middle class or rich, all of us studied and played together. Therefore, it is crucial for families to be the first to inculcate and practice these values themselves.

The second reading from the letter of St James tells us that we should not combine our faith with the making of distinctions between classes of people. He then gives an example of two people entering the synagogue, one well dressed and one poorly dressed, the well-dressed man is treated with dignity while the other was banished to a corner. Consider our own behaviour in church — many of us, whether consciously or not, treat people differently based on their appearance or race. The troubling part is that we often do this without batting an eyelid and feel no guilt about it. St James warns us that such actions turn us into corrupt judges, indicating that our minds and souls have been corrupted by the ways of the world.

If we want to make the world a better place, to make it a place where there is no prejudice or bias, we need to open not only our eyes and minds but our souls as well. We need to be healed by Jesus as he healed the man who was dumb and deaf. The “Ephiphata” that comes from the mouth of Christ not only open our mouth and ears but also our minds and soul. It opens up a new horizon where we see the world with the lens of God instead of our lens which are tainted and corrupt. As the Responsorial Psalm tells us, “it is the Lord who gives sight to the blind.” We may not be blind physically but we are certainly blind in our personal prejudice and bias.

We cannot change others; we can only change ourselves because it would be foolish to think that we can change others. As the lyrics of Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” goes … “If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change.” When we point one finger at others, three fingers point back at us. Let us then pray for an “Ephiphata” experience so that we can free ourselves from the prejudices and bias that blinds us from seeing people as they are, the children of God.