Reflection on Today's Readings, Wednesday of 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1, October 13th, 2021
Texts: Rom. 2: 1- 11; Ps. 62:2-3.6-7.9 ; Luke 11:42-46
Today's first reading reminds us of the word of our Lord: "judge not, that you may not be judged" (Mtt. 7:1). St. Paul tells us, today, that whenever we judge, we also pass judgment on ourselves. We call ourselves to judgement whenever we judge. Since we are not fit to stand judgement (Ps. 130:3), we are not fit to judge. St. Paul puts it thus: "You have no excuse, O man, whoever you are, when you judge another; for in passing judgement upon him you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things." This word of St. Paul shows that only a guiltless person is fit to judge. We are reminded, today, not to judge for our own good.
Another thing that St. Paul makes clear to us, today, is that when we judge, we call ourselves to judgement before God. We may be smart enough to escape judgement from man, but we cannot escape the judgement of God. He says, "Do you suppose, O man, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgement of God?" In judging others we call ourselves to judgement before higher authority, God.
St. Paul also reminds us, today, that God's patience, forbearance and kindness should not make us think that we can escape His judgement. He puts it thus: "Or do you presume upon the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience?" It is a delusion to take God's patience, forbearance and kindness for no judgement or license to do evil. He tells us what the kindness, forbearance and patience of God mean. He says, "Do you not know that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?" This tells us to learn how to interpret the acts of God correctly and not to miss the opportunity He offers us.
When we fail to interpret God's kindness, forbearance and patience correctly, there is danger of persisting in evil, becoming hard and impenitent. St. Paul tells us the consequence of this: "But by your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgement will be revealed." If we interpret them correctly, we see them as opportunity and there is likelihood of conversion and repentance. That we are alive today, inspite of our sins, it is an opportunity given to us by God to become better of ourselves. Let us make use of the opportunity God has offered us, today.
We are also told the two sides of judgement. It is said, "There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honour and peace for every one who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek." It is what we do here and now that will determine our lot: Tribulation and distress or glory, honour and peace.
Jesus Christ is the only one who is fit to judge because He is like us in every thing but sin (Heb. 4:15). He is the perfect judge for us because He is guiltless and also share our condition with us. Today, He shows us an example; He condemned the behaviours of the Pharisees and the lawyers, not them. When action is condemned, there is a call to repentance and, therefore, offering opportunity to live again. When a person is condemned, there is no room for repentance and opportunity to live again.
Lord our God, help us always to be better of ourselves, that we might help others to be better. Amen.
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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