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Master·evangeli.net

Today's Gospel + short theological explanation

Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
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Gospel text (Mt 7:1-5): Jesus said to his disciples: “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you (...).”

Fraternity: "judging" with Christ’s gaze

Fr. Antoni CAROL i Hostench (Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain)

Today, Jesus Christ, as our Master, is asking us to help others, and to do it humbly, by providing good example and avoiding the "critical judgment". Time and again, we "do acknowledge" others’ failings, but we "do not recognize" our own weaknesses; or we demand from others what we are not willing to do. The Lord warns us against the danger of hypocrisy and expects us to be sincere to ourselves.

To love somebody is to wish him/her the best of everything, his/her progress. For that reason, we must often see, judge and evaluate. But, how can I do it in a positive manner? It is a twofold secret. One, by being a good example, which will encourage those around us. Two, through judging with Christ’s gaze: with the Truth above all else and joined by our mercy. This is what we call fraternity.

—Jesus, I wish to take care of my own people as you do with all of us. I see you accepting and exculpating Mary of Magdala; I see you gathering and taking Dismas, the good thief, to Heaven. Help me to help!