Wednesday, November 6, 2019

31st Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 07-11-19

Romans 14:7-12 / Luke 15:1-10       

We can see the same thing and yet have our individual and differing points of view and opinions, and we are entitled to our opinions.

And our opinions are neither right or wrong, because we see it from our own angle and perspective.

But when we impose our opinions on others and put a judgement tag to it, then that is where other moral issues may arise.

Others may be influenced by our judgements, which are actually mere opinions, and they in turn will subscribe to the same judgement.

The 1st reading has this to say: You should never pass judgement on a brother or treat him with contempt, as some of you have done. We shall all have to stand before the judgement seat of God. It is to God therefore that each of us must give an account of himself.

In the gospel, when the tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what He had to say, the Pharisees and the scribes complained, and made a judgement when they said: This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.

And even when we hear the parable of the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine in the wilderness to look for the missing one, we might think it is rather absurd to do so.

But if we are that missing one, then we will certainly change our opinions.

So instead of letting our opinions turn into a judgement, let us judge ourselves first. Then we will be able to give an account of ourselves before God.