Gracious God, teach us see as you see.

What is it in human nature that compels us to separate each other into categories?  To use different standards in making decisions on how various groups are treated? The Apostles were doing just that to the Gentiles in today's reading. On the one hand, it's reassuring to know there's nothing new under the sun'!  On the other hand, have we evolved so little that we are still separating ourselves into 'us versus them'?

This 'old as the hill' predilection is discouraging and destructive to all human beings and to our planet.                

Jesus “made no distinction between us and them,
for by faith he purified their hearts.
Why, then, are you now putting God to the test
by placing on the shoulders of the disciples
a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?”

Learning to see as God sees is a life long journey…to be able to check our all too human tendency to use different standards on how we treat others.  

What is it in my life that prevents me from being able to see as God sees? Am I so insecure that I can't see someone different from me as another child of God?  Why am I not able to trust God enough to see others with the compassion they need and deserve instead of feeling fear or discomfort?  

Once I can figure that out, when I can "Remain in my love." as Jesus counsels his disciples in today's Gospel,  then my " joy might be complete."  Which is another quandary I face.  Since I know my joy will be complete, why is it so hard to remain in God's love?  To follow Jesus?  Some days it is so easy and others days, I don't pay attention or I am 'too busy'.  I think I need another Lent to sharpen my focus and keep my eyes on Jesus.