Given By Rev. Jerry Stinson on Aug. 14, 2016

The reading today from John tries to imagine the calling of the first twelve disciples. It begins with Andrew and his brother, Simon-Peter, who are simple fisher-folk from Galilee. Next came Philip who then tries to persuade Nathanael. Nathanael had some doubt about anything good coming from the area of Nazareth. Like many of us today, Nathanael had negative stereotypes about people. These stereotypes divides people into an us-versus-them mentality. Recent events show that these divides are becoming deeper and leading to increasing hostility and animosity in our world. Everyone struggles with overcoming their negative stereotypes of others, even Jesus. Rev. Jerry Stinson passed on several stories concerning individuals who had their stereotypes challenged and blown away. Let us be bridge-builders and peace-makers.