HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 23RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II (2)

HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 23RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II

THEME: STOP JUDGING OTHERS

BY: Fr. Karabari Paul

HOMILY FOR FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9 2022

‘Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your eye?’

Ever thought you were better than someone else? Ever judged someone because of something they have done, or not done? We can probably all answer ‘yes’ to those questions. We can be quick to point out other people’s faults, talk behind their backs, or damage their relationships by criticising.

But Jesus said: ‘Why do you look at the speck of saw dust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye’ (Luke 6:39-42).

This whole story shows how we shouldn’t be judging others because we can also be judged for things. Nobody is perfect, only God is. And He is the only One who can judge. In Romans, it says: ‘If you think you can judge others, you are wrong. When you judge them, you are really judging yourself guilty, because you do the same things they do. God judges those who do wrong things, and we know that his judging is right’ (2:1-2).

One of the great tests of spiritual maturity is our willingness to love and pray for those whose beliefs and behaviours are unacceptable to us. Instead of condemning people who err, we should see them the same way we see a blind man walking towards a cliff’s edge. Our reaction should not be to condemn him, but to have compassion and try to show him a safer route. Now let us be clear; compassion is not compromise, any more than we could accuse God, Who loves sinners and hates sin, of compromise. Why don’t we just emulate our heavenly Father?

Instead of judging and criticising, Paul says, ‘When we have the opportunity to help…we should do it’ (Galatians 6:10). So we need to be looking for ways to bless people, even when we know they can’t do anything in return for us. We need to be encouraging people and making them feel valued. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God have mercy on us, heal our world, bless and protect us all through Christ our Lord Amen. Good morning