Joseph J. Mazzella: Never judge a book by its cover
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- 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.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- 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 Brothers 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 into 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 its 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 every one of us how to live and how to love. May we all follow the truth He shared.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- 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 Brothers 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 into 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 its 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 every one of us how to live and how to love. May we all follow the truth He shared.
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