A Book By its Cover
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." (Matt 7:1-3 NKJV)
I was driving home the other day on a sunny afternoon. I had a smile on my
face as I sang along to the songs on the radio. It was a beautiful day. I
felt full of happiness and oneness with God.
My good mood ended, however, when the radio station
took a news break between songs. Suddenly I found myself listening to
yet another story of a rich, beautiful celebrity involved in scandal,
hypocrisy, and lawlessness. I shook my head in disbelief as I came to a
stoplight.
As I pulled to a stop I noticed four, leather jacketed bikers. They were
standing in the middle of the road with two on either side of the light.
They looked rough and dangerous, but as I got closer I noticed each one was
holding their helmet in their hands. I rolled down my window as one
approached my car. "We are the Brother’s of the Wheel", he said. "We are
collecting for a Christmas toy drive for needy children this year."
As I pulled a dollar out of my wallet I looked past
his beard and tattoos and into his eyes. They shined with a goodness and
kindness that came right from his soul. I dropped the money in his helmet
and waved to the other bikers as I drove off. My good mood had returned. My
faith in mankind had been bolstered. And I had to laugh along with God as I
remembered once again never to judge a book by it’s cover.
Our society often judges books by their covers but God reads what is written
in our hearts and souls. Perhaps one day we will all learn to see the world
through Heaven’s eyes. Perhaps one day we will realize that looks
matter little and actions matter much. Perhaps one day we will see that the
wealth and success of Earth are not the wealth and success of Heaven.
Over two thousand years ago a poor, homeless outcast walked the Earth. His
clothes were tattered and His companions were rough fishermen. He was
scorned by the elite of the day. Yet, He showed everyone of us how to live
and how to love. May we all follow the truth He shared.
By: Joseph J. Mazzella