Romans 2: 1-11; Psalm 62; Luke 11: 42-46
Jesus continues condemning the Pharisees’ emphasis on ritual purities. “One of the lawyers answered him and said, ‘Teacher, when you say these things you insult us too.’” Right! Jesus replies: “You load people with burdens hard to bear and you do not lift a finger to help them.” Paul, who has never met the community at Rome, is not afraid to insult them either. “You have no excuse, whoever you are, whenever you judge others.” He continues, “You say, ‘We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is in accordance with truth.’” Paul then asks, “Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant is meant to lead you to repentance?”
Ask the Spirit to show you, kindly, slowly, maybe even outside of this formal prayer time, whom it is that you judge? Persons close at hand, groups, whole peoples?
Ask to know whom you might be loading with burdens? Ask to share God’s kindness.
May your kindness, God of grace, shine through us to everyone whom we meet today and to those whom we see on the news. Keep us always far away from gossip.