Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Do not complain,
brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold,
the Judge is standing before the gates. (James
5:9)
(Jesus
told the Pharisees:) “Therefore what God has joined together no human being
must separate.” (Mark
10:9)
Piety
Lord, help
me to love as You love, without restriction.
Study
“Who am I
to judge?”
Five words
that shook the world last July. It’s what Pope Francis said about gay people in
response to a reporter’s question about a “gay lobby” in the Vatican.
“Do not
judge so that you may not be judged.”
Ten words
that likely shook the crowd when Jesus spoke them, words that so resonated that
the missive is restated in James 5 in today’s first reading.
And yet, we
continue to try to step in and do the Lord’s job for Him: that provocatively
dressed young woman must be promiscuous. That man who cut us off in traffic is
a self-centered jerk, or worse. The parents who are oblivious to the ruckus
their children are making are irresponsible and inconsiderate.
The thing
is, we don’t know and usually never will. The provocatively dressed young woman
may be on her way to a shelter. That man who cut us off in traffic may be
heading for a hospital to see a dying loved one. The parents who are oblivious
to the ruckus their children are making may be mulling a critical relationship
decision.
Only God
knows what’s in their hearts and souls—and ours. Let’s thank Him for relieving
us of any responsibility to sort it all out… and trust.
Action
When you’re
in a public setting today, consider the possible back story of those who annoy
you by their behavior. Pray for them.
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