Sometimes in our American culture, the context of public discourse turns just plain silly, like the way a fun-house mirror distorts a person’s image. In fact, it is a matter of image that sparks this piece.

Not once, not twice, but three times in the past few days, in the matter of reporting on the campaigns of all the would-be nominees for our next president, we have been asked by the media to consider the candidacy of one particular candidate on the grounds that "he looks presidential." You may know which party and which candidate, but it doesn’t matter which one. Please tell me what it means to "look presidential." But do not tell me that at long last, in the matter of the most important elected office in the land, we have devolved until only appearances matter. (I know, it wouldn’t be the first time).

It really doesn’t surprise me. After all, appearances do seem to be all-

important. It wasn’t that long ago that one brand of camera advertised on that slogan alone: "Image is everything." Is it? From making the "right" fashion statement, to being seen with "the right people," to shaping personal, moral and ethical choices to what will keep you popular, get you re-elected, promoted or on the team, certainly seems to be the order of the day.

Does substance count for anything? The capacity to have a grasp of history, the wisdom to let information shape conclusions, the appreciation for differing cultural norms, the gift of imagination, the courage to take necessary risks, the integrity to admit error ... do any of these things count for anything anymore?

What does it mean to "look" presidential? Does it require height, does it require physical beauty, does it require being male? Does it require being white?

What does it mean to "look" Christian, for that matter? Or to "look" Jewish? Or to "look" Islamic?

What does it mean to "look" legal? What does it mean to "look" American?

In so many ways we pre-define people by some arbitrary standard of superficial characteristics. With that template in mind, we then sort and evaluate people, discarding or discounting all those who don’t fit the acceptable pattern.

The byways of our common life are strewn with the bodies of those we have believed to be unfit for consideration in the "right" sort of world we envision building. By the same sort of shallow thinking, we have populated some of the most vital positions of power and authority with persons who "look" the part. Their performance demonstrate a very different truth.

In the Gospel of John, in the 14th chapter, Jesus conducts a sort of farewell conversation with his disciples. In that conversation he sums up the goal of all that he has been about. The goal is a more vital faith in God. In doing so he reminds them of all that they have seen, heard and experienced with him. It is as if Jesus is saying, "Take a good look; a good hard look. Look below the surface; look to all that you have heard and seen in me; I have held nothing back from you. I have laid myself bare before you. Now, you have a choice to make, and there is a great deal riding on the choice you make: your life will be shaped by the belief you adopt."

No surface contemplation here. The issues are too big. But if they learned anything at all from him, they should have learned that they always are, when we are shaping our opinions and behaviors toward each other. No more than we can choose a president on appearance alone, we cannot succeed in this business of life by making superficial judgements about anyone or anything.

When the stakes are at their highest, whether in terms of national policy or personal action, how we look will matter very little. Rather, how we think, how we make decisions, how we engage with others, what our vision is: these things will matter far more.

They will be addressed out of the knowledge we have labored to obtain, the values we have adopted, and the capacity we have developed for coping with adversity. They will be addressed from the vantage point of what we believe to be true.

Do not surrender to appearances alone. Do not acquiesce to others when it is only your appearance they consider, or some label attached by their whim. There is more to each of us than meets the eye.

Jesus knew that. Wise folk always do.

The Rev. Thomas A. Clemow is pastor of First United Methodist Church in Oneonta.