Holy Prophet Zachariah and Elisabeth, Parents of John the Baptist
1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Matthew 23:1-12
Read 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Do we attempt to play God in other peoples lives? Yes, we do it all the time. Sometimes we believe that what we are doing is well-meaning. Sometimes we believe we can save a friend, or save a member of our family, by interfering in their lives and dictating what they should and should not do. We believe that if we could only get them to change their ways then they will be who they are meant to be, or they will be happier, or they will become more faithful. While we have a Christian duty to counsel others when they need support, to love them in their weaknesses, we must remember that it is Christ who saves them. We are not the Saviour.
Sometimes we believe that if we can point out people’s faults they would just see how mistaken they are and so return to the right path. Sometimes we believe that we have been appointed to expose people for the sinfulness of their actions to protect others or safeguard the community from them and what we perceive as their sinful ways. Yet we must remember that it is our own sinfulness that we must concern ourselves with and continually repent. We are not the judge.
St. Paul reminds the Corinthians and us today of the eternal truth that the Lord will judge us and that He “will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart.” He will do this. Christ will do this, as it is in His power and it is His prerogative to do so, not ours. Instead of judging others let us earnestly pray for their salvation and for our own commending us all to God’s mercy. Let us pray that Our Lord Jesus Christ will deliver us from the bonds of pride so that we might see our sins in the light of day and so repent.
“I believe, O Lord, and confess that You are truly Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first.”