Pursue the essential element of our faith

Gal. 5:18-25, Lk. 11:42-46. Today's first reading promotes freedom and primacy of love, but warns against individualism. Though, the teaching of Jesus in today's Gospel is carefully nuanced. He criticises how the Pharisees place priority on payment of tithes, while neglecting justice and the love of God. They judge others because they saw themselves as superior and in doing so proved to be better than those they despised and had judged against. That was why Jesus was unhappy with them because they failed to realise how they were sinners. But insisted that they should not act as if they were superior or better, for in reality, they actually were equally sinful and unworthy.

Discernment can help us distinguish the essential from the non-essential, and avoid rashly judging others. The more we multiply rules, the more we try to control other people’s lives and are tempted to judge them. We can run the danger of being a judge if we make our life the standard. Jesus taught that the love of God and social justice came before all other obligations. We need to similarly avoid judging people by eternal manifestation. We are called into genuine faith in God and to be filled with love for God and our fellow brothers and sisters.

May the Lord help us in our journey of faith, so that we may be a constant source of strength for others! Amen!! Good morning, Peace be with you!!!