Daily Seasonal Reflections
Tuesday of the First Week of Advent
Fr. Trey Nelson
 
“Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, but he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land's afflicted.” (From Isaiah 11:1-10)
 
One of my roles as chaplain for Catholic High School is to take part in our annual Senior Retreat. I have done this every year of my priesthood, other than the year when I was on a leave of absence for cancer and recovery.  I have been attending retreats long before being appointed chaplain. It is always an amazing experience. This year, however, it seemed even more so. One of the common reflections given by the students at the conclusion of the retreat is the fact that, before, the retreat, there were some classmates whom they had never even spoken too.  This is because the Senior class is so large. While some guys know other guys well, some just know each other from a distance.  The retreat is an opportunity for them to, in a sense, meet and get to know new people.  Reflections such as, “Wow! I had no idea what he was like. He’s pretty awesome” are common.  It is amazing what happens when you find yourself in a new environment, one in which comfort and acceptance are earnestly fostered.  Preconceived notions fade away and give rise to a new understanding of the other person. This is a polar-opposite experience of life as most of us know it, a life and world in which the exterior view clouds or outright blinds us from the interior goodness of another.
 
One of my favorite parts of the Advent Season is when we hear today’s words from Isaiah. Whenever I read or hear, “On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,”(Isaiah 11:1.) I know we are there, on the doorstep of my favorite season of the year.  I was particularly moved this year, however, by the words included at the top of this page. “Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, but he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land's afflicted.” (From Isaiah 11:1-10.) How many times do we “judge and decide” about someone based on appearance or hearsay? Hopefully, the older we get, the less inclined we are to do this—or we at least catch ourselves before our thoughts and words go too far. Things we see, things we read about, and things we hear about often keep us from giving someone a chance.  It is true, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.  Jesus, however, did not allow first impressions—whatever they were—to get in the way of loving.  This may very well be a good time of year for us to do an honest self-examination regarding our own prejudices, whether they have to do with people we know well or those we have never met. This is a season of hope, and one of the most profound ways to impart hope is to accept others for who they are, as they are. 
 
Who, then, do you need give a chance in order for this to happen?  What outward show or rumor do you need to overcome to see the innate goodness in certain other people?  It really doesn’t take a retreat to get us there.