REFLECTION:

They say, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” And there is probably some truth to that.

Think about a job interview. You make sure you look good. You arrive early. You practice your answers. You sit up straight. You try to sound intelligent. And when they ask, “What is your greatest weakness?” you definitely don’t tell them your actual greatest weakness! You say something like, “Sometimes I just work too hard.” Very impressive!

We do the same thing when we meet someone for the first time. Within a few minutes, we have already formed an opinion. Oh, I like this person. They’re funny. They’re quiet. They talk too much. Sometimes we decide all of that before they even finish introducing themselves.

But our readings today remind us that first impressions are not always the whole story.

Saint Paul actually talks about the first impression he made when he arrived in Corinth. And apparently, it wasn’t very impressive! He tells them, “I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling.” That is probably not something you want to put on your résumé: Public speaking skills: weak, afraid, and trembling. But Paul says that was the point. He didn’t want people to believe because Paul was impressive. He wanted them to believe because God was powerful. Their faith should rest not on human wisdom, but on the power of God.

Then we come to Jesus in the Gospel. Jesus returns to Nazareth, his hometown, and goes into the synagogue. At first, people are impressed. But then they begin looking at each other saying, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” In other words, Wait a minute. We know this guy!

They had already formed their impression of Jesus. They remembered the boy who grew up in their neighborhood. Maybe somebody remembered Jesus running around as a kid. Someone probably thought, I remember when he was this tall! And now he is standing there telling them that Scripture is being fulfilled in their hearing.

They couldn’t see who Jesus was becoming because they were stuck on who they thought he was. And we can do exactly the same thing.

We do it with coworkers, family members, students, parishioners, friends. Someone makes one mistake and suddenly that becomes their identity. Oh, that’s just how he is. She’ll never change. I already know what they’re going to say. But here is the problem: God is still working on people.

The person you met five years ago may not be the same person today. The person who disappointed you may have grown. The student who struggled last year may surprise you this year. And maybe there is someone in our life today whom God is asking us to look at again.

First impressions matter. But they should never become final judgments. Because Paul looked weak, but God was working through him. Jesus looked like simply “Joseph’s son,” but he was the Savior standing right in front of them.

So maybe today, before we say, “Oh, I already know that person,” leave a little room for God. Because people can change. And sometimes the person God is changing… is us.