MEDITATION : 

Respect is a quality of love that pushes us to accept others as they are. Through respect we value the great dignity of every human person created in the image and likeness of God, even if that person is in error. Respect is a source of harmony because it encourages us to value differences, as does a painter with colours or a musician with notes or rhythms.

Respectful love prevents us from judging others, manipulating them or wanting to shape them to our size.

Every time I think of respect, I see Jesus conversing kindly with the Samaritan woman, as St. John tells us in his Gospel (4:5-26).

Jesus addresses the Samaritan woman in a dialogue without reproach, without condemnation and where the light of delicate tolerance shines. Jesus does not approve of the woman living with someone who is not her husband, but instead of judging her, he congratulates her on her sincerity. He acts as a good pastor and teaches us to be respectful if we really want to get along with others.