When a person does something wrong, how would we respond? Supposing the person is a VIP (Very Important Person) or some high ranking official. Would we be daring or brave enough to tell the person that he or she is wrong (in a brotherly or sisterly manner perhaps)? But what if the person is somebody we happen to meet or know in our community, in our neighbourhood, or perhaps at church. Would we be willing to tell the person that he or she is wrong? Some of us may feel quite reluctant to tell a VIP or some high ranking official that he or she is wrong, but perhaps we may have no qualms to tell other persons of less importance or status. Why is this so? Are we being good examples by being fair and just to all?
In today's reading, we see St. Paul being bold and willing to tell St. Peter off in his face. Even though St. Peter was an apostle and a VIP in those days, St. Paul was impartial in his counsel. St. Peter had done something wrong by suddenly changing his attitude towards eating with pagans, just because a certain group of friends of James arrived. St. Peter may have been unwilling to create tension or issues with those group of friends of James, but his conduct was unbecoming of an apostle, who is supposed to be loving and fair to all, without fear or favour. Because of this, St. Paul gave St. Peter a piece of his mind: he told him off!
What about us? As Christians, we should be fair and loving to all, regardless of status, rank, or importance. We should not discriminate in our praises or criticism. Are we one, united, brothers and sisters in Christ, children of God? Or have we become divisive and selective in our conduct and attitude towards people, imitating the ways of the world instead, when it comes to praises or criticism?
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