YEAR B: HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 12TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (1)

YEAR B: HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE TWELFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: JUDGING OTHERS?

BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon

HOMILY:

(Mt. 7:1-5) Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

In the day’s Gospel Jesus commands us not to judge others. This is another hard commandment. But it is best obeyed rather than violated. Judging others, even if true, may bring more harm than good. Besides, it puts behind our self which needs more attention and changes. Not to judge does not mean not minding at all what others are doing. Wrong is wrong. Bad is bad. There is still a need to criticize and correct. Judgment involves finalizing ones view on the other. Telling somebody that he lied is a reminder. But saying somebody is a liar is making a judgment. In the end, care must still be done in reminding and criticizing. Ultimately, only God can judge. He knows what are in our hearts and minds. Just the same, He does not judge. He gives us chances and He encourages change.

Rather than make judgments, we must get busy judging ourselves. Change must begin with us. Change easily happens when we address ourselves.

The next time we encounter somebody, consider what that somebody is going through. Rather than immediately make judgments, begin by understanding and giving great regard for what he is going through. Who knows? It might just be what he needed.