FIRST READING
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (Romans 2: 1- 11)
“He will render to every man according to his works, the Jew first and also the Greek.”
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. We know that the judgement of God rightly falls upon those who do such things. 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? Or do you presume upon the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not know that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 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. For he will render to every man according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury. 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. For God shows no partiality.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 62:2-3.6-7.9 (R. l3bc)
R/. O Lord, you repay each man according to his deeds.
In God alone is my soul at rest;
my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock, my salvation,
my fortress; never shall I falter. R/.
In God alone be at rest, my soul,
for my hope is from him.
He alone is my rock, my salvation,
my fortress; never shall I falter. R/.
Trust him at all times, O people.
Pour out your hearts before him,
for God is our refuge. R/.
ALLELUIA John 10:27
Alleluia. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; and I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 11:42-46)
“Woe to you Pharisees! Woe to you lawyers also!”
At that time: Jesus said, “Woe to you Pharisees! for you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! for you love the best seat in the synagogues and salutations in the market places. Woe to you! for you are like graves which are not seen, and men walk over them without knowing it.” One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, in saying this you reproach us also.” And he said, “Woe to you lawyers also! for you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
No one except God can justly judge others. To judge justly means to take into account every possible situation that has brought about the break of a law. As humans we may not be able to see these; at times, we turn a blind eye to our own deeds but when we see others do the same we condemn those very deeds. This is what the Pharisees do. The best way out is to ask God to give us the wisdom and the grace to look inward more. When we do this, we have the opportunity to scrutinize ourselves and to learn how to relate to others when they sin. Our evaluation of them may be with bias, envy or hatred. When this happens we engage in rash and harsh judgment and condemnation. Mercy should be the scale in observing the wrongs of others.