Are we blind and deaf to who truly has more?

Rev. Walter B. Klockers

by Rev. Walter B. Klockers
| January 31, 2016 5:00 AM

The Apostle Paul wrote many letters. Some of them were to people of the Christian church in a place called Corinth, which was a large city in ancient Greece. These folks divided themselves in many ways and were a far cry from being a unified group.

Two of these letters are part of the New Testament of the Bible. In the first (1 Corinthians), Paul uses the example of the human body to teach that all of its parts contribute to the whole.

He urged the people of the Corinthian Church to do likewise — to look out for each other’s interests. Part of this involved treating those who are somehow “less” or “inferior” in higher regard, instead of merely stepping on them. This is using the New Revised Standard Version’s translation.

I don’t know about you, but I have a difficult time with words like these. They carry with them judgment and indicate that we are blind and deaf to seeing the greater value in these people.

I wonder if Paul was using their own exact words in his attempt to convince them to change their ways. I think that this is a possibility. In any event, he certainly was recounting their actions through their use.

Before I completely condemn the people of that church, I know that I have been guilty of the same offense. In my lifetime, I have sometimes judged others and regarded myself to be “above” them.

There are many ways we may do so. Here is an incomplete list: by occupation, position, intelligence, education, economic status, looks, gender, skin color, nationality, and religious views.

If a person is willing and able to catch themselves in the act of judging others there is hope for change.

I have been taught valuable lessons in this way. For example, from our son, Ben: I have learned more from him than any college professor.

Our son has Down Syndrome. Developmentally, he will always be about 6 years of age. However, he continues to surprise us in wonderful ways. I have had my eyes and ears opened because of Ben.

He constantly reminds me of the most important things in life, namely love and acceptance. He has an advantage – the gift — of not being so judgmental. How on earth can this be “less?”

Walter is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church and has served as parish pastor for more than 25 years.