Liturgical Colour : Green

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day, we heard about the important message that we all should take heed of, that we must not judge or condemn others around us, and thinking that we are more worthy, just or righteous as compared to another one beside us. We must not fall into this trap of pride and arrogance, which had brought so many to fall and perish in their own pride and hubris.

Condemning others for their actions and shortcomings, and judging others based on their background, attitude or any other parameters does not bring us any good, but instead damnation and destruction, for it is often that those who judges and condemns the most, are unaware of their own shortcomings, misdeeds and wickedness, and as a result, they too fell the most and they perish in the most ignoble manner.

Yet, this does not mean that we should then just mind our own business and care nothing about the rest and all others who are around us. If we do this, then we too are to be blamed, and now not because of our pride and arrogance, but because of our own refusal to act when it is in our power and ability to bring good and grace to others who are around us.

We are all once lost to the Lord, He Who is our Shepherd, Guide and Master. That is because we preferred to follow our own path, even though knowing that such a path would have led us to our downfall and to suffering. It is through disobedience of men that sin entered into the world, and darkness shrouded this world, so that many of God’s flock, God’s own beloved people, became lost in that encompassing darkness.

And rather than condemning others whom we thought as those who had been lost, let us all help one another, following the examples of our Lord, Who had told us of His love for us all, as our Lord and Shepherd. If He, as our one and only Good Shepherd, went out all the way and gave His very best to look for even one lost sheep, to bring that sheep back from the brink of disaster into a renewed and blessed life, then truly, all of us should also do the same.

There is indeed much rejoicing in heaven, among the angels and the saints for one soul that was lost, and then repented and was found again. That is because the alternative would have been eternal damnation and hell, and forever, that soul will be lost to God, and to all of God’s beloved ones. But if that soul is found, then it will have the chance to receive the fullness of God’s redemption and salvation.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, how is this then relevant to all of us? It is very relevant because all of us are essentially the ones who have been entrusted by our Lord to be shepherds for one another, to keep each other together and to prevent anyone from being lost. If any of us fall into the darkness and into the trap of sin, then truly it is our responsibility and duty to guide one another, just like a shepherds guiding their sheep.

Therefore, while we do not condone the sins and wickedness that others had done, and rightfully, we should censure them for these, but let us not prevent them or discourage them from seeking God’s mercy and salvation through our judgmental attitude or condemnation. Rather, we should try our best to call them to repentance and to change.

Do take note, that we do not subscribe to what is called false mercy, as what some in the Church today propose that we adopt this stance. This means that the sinners and those who have erred cannot be allowed to continue in their sinfulness and wickedness, and we do not tolerate these sins to continue. Rather, we welcome them back, and help guide them on the path of true and genuine repentance, that in the end, the lost sheep truly finds their way back to the Lord, their Shepherd.

May Almighty God be with us in all these endeavours, and may He bless us in all of our works and efforts, and may He gather all of us, His flock, together as one people, into the eternal life and glory He has prepared for us all. Amen.