WITHOUT EXCUSE

Rom 2:1-11; Ps 62 Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works; Luke 11:42-46


None of us have exclusive claim on God's goodness.  All of us can easily fall prey to the sin of presumption.  Judgment and punishment as well as blessing and honor remain open to all.

Hence we get to the first word of St Paul in today's letter to the Romans, "You, O man, are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment.  For by the standard by which  you judge another you condemn yourself, since you the judge do the very same thing."


These words should sound familiar.  Jesus says them quite often in the gospel.  The measure you give will be measured back to you.

Of course this doesn't mean that we should sit idly by and do nothing.  Recognizing inappropriate behavior and calling people to task and calling our selves to task is still a requirement.  But rather than judging and doing nothing to help, we must be the first in line to assist.

We can call bad behaviors out, absolutely.  But then, we must be willing to roll up our sleeves and assist in getting others back on the right path.

Judging is easy.  But true charity is way more demanding.

Jesus says it best, "You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not a lift one finger to touch them."

We lift many fingers in our heart but are they beneficial.  It isn't terrible to point the finger at bad behavior but it is terrible to point the finger then refuse to give a helping hand.