Daily reflection _ repentance and conversion

REPENTANCE AND CONVERSION
Let us not be self-righteous. It is not always easy to avoid. We can get trapped by it at times.
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
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.