CYCLE II: HOMILY/REFLECTION FOR MONDAY OF THE 12TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (2)

CYCLE II: HOMILY/REFLECTION FOR MONDAY OF THE 12TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: DO NOT BE JUDGEMENTAL OF OTHERS

BY: Fr. Francis Onwunali

HOMILY: At the beginning of this working week, as we move out to widely interact with others in our different endeavours, words of caution are being given to us: “Be careful not to be judgmental of others without first examining your own lifestyle”.

In today’s gospel (Matt. 7: 1-5), Jesus cautions His disciples not to be found wanting in the positions they take. Avoid standing in a pretentious position as the “hypocrites” do. “Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye”. Thinking best of other people is necessary if we are to grow in love.

The first reading (2Kgs. 17: 5-8, 13-15, 18) gives account of the fall of the Northern Kingdom due to the disobedience of the Word of God by their kings over time.

“For this, the Lord was enraged with Israel and thrust them away from Him. There was none left but the tribes of Judah”. Dear friends, how often do we sit in judgment of others without seeking to understand the conditions of their life? How often do we castigate instead of giving fraternal correction? Remember, the measure you give will be the measure you get. This is a heavenly principle we can rely on.

I pray as we journey in life today, William Berclay’s prayer will be ours: “O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst”. May the Word of God which judges all secret emotions and thoughts be active and alive in us (Heb. 4: 12).

Have a non-judgmental-full day!