REPENTANCE AND CONVERSION
Let us not be self-righteous. It is not always easy
to avoid. We can get trapped by it at times.
We all have the temptation of criticizing others for their weaknesses
while at the same time giving ourselves room for our weaknesses, our
shortcomings, and our inability to live fully in God's will and desires. The
Pharisees imposed burdens on others while they overlooked their own faults and
overlooked the judgement and love of God. Today we hear from Paul: "For by
the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself."
St. Paul's strong words can be understood by the urgency of the message
he wanted to give the people of his time. We need these words today to repent
of the things that get in our way of having a relationship of God. With a real
conversion of faith we will know that all things are possible with God in our
lives.
Let us not be self-righteous. It is not always easy to avoid. We can get
trapped by it at times. We might think that we are "holy" and the
person next to us is a sinner. May we not become complacent, and to put it
another way, may we not presume to take advantage of God because he is so kind
and merciful.
Points to Pray and Ponder: Strive to be very dedicated
children of God, think about the warnings of Paul today. They are a favor from
God to encourage us in our attempts to grow in holiness. Let us trust in the
kindness of God that leads us all to repentance and conversion.