April 29, 2026

At the Festival of Faith & Writing I recently attended, the author Neal Shusterman told a story about a young person approaching him to share their dislike of his latest book. The young person said, “It’s not that I hate the book. I haven’t read it. But there are these kids who read it, and I hate them.” The scenario generated laughter. And then came the silence as the full meaning of the interchange sank in.

How often do we project our dislike of one thing or person upon another thing or person(s)? Where does dislike and even hatred come from? Do we dislike the politician as a person or the policies supported by the politician? And if we dislike the politician, is it because of their behavior or because of who they are? And what does that dislike or hatred say about every human being made in the image of God?

At what point does the other person actually have a “speck of dust” in their eye AND we do not have a “log” in our own eye? Is there ever a time? Surely the temple that was a “den of robbers” was more than a speck. The tables deserved to be overthrown. Right?

Rev. Eric