MONDAY 22ND JUNE 2020
12TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR
II
2 Kings 17:5-8,13-15,18, MATTHEW
7:1-5
It is very easy for us to see the
mistakes and faults of others; we can easily see others as lazy, stubborn,
impatient, inconsiderate, stingy, greedy and the likes, but we hardly attribute
such to ourselves. It is very true that many of us do not pay attention to
ourselves. What we complain in other people most times, are also very visible
in us. It is therefore good that as Christians, we learn to tolerate and be
sensitive to one another. This is only possible if we have the understanding
that no one is perfect, we all can make mistakes.
In the gospel reading of today,
Jesus tells us not to judge anybody. We do not really have sufficient knowledge
about some of the things we complain about in others. If we can only inquire
more about some situations, we will withhold our judgement and be sympathetic
with those we criticize.
A class teacher was always angry
with a student who was consistently coming late to the class. Despite the
regular punishments, the boy did not improve. It was only the day the class
teacher discovered that the boy was an orphan from a very indigent home where
he lived with his grandmother, and could not afford a taxi to school though his
house was far from the school that the teacher understood with him. The teacher
finally paid his transport fare for the term and stopped punishing him.
We are not perfect, and we look
for excuses to justify what we do, but we on the other hand hardly excuse
others or accept their excuses. God has forgiven us despite all our
shortcomings, he does not judge us, but understands with us. Let us also look
at others with mercy and compassion.
Please say a prayer for me today
as I mark my first priestly ordination anniversary. I am one year old as a
priest of God. He chose me knowing that I am not perfect; I pray for his
graciousness in my life and fulfilment in his vineyard. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
No comments:
Post a Comment