💖 HOMILY - OCTOBER 15 💖

First Reading - Romans 2:1-11 

Gospel - Luke 11:42-46

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to see what’s wrong with others, but how hard it is to see what needs changing in ourselves? We can be quick to judge others’ faults, yet blind to our own. Today’s readings invite us to shift our focus — from judging others to examining our own hearts.

In the first reading, St. Paul warns the Romans, “You have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself.” Paul reminds us that God’s judgment is based on truth, not appearances or partiality. While we may see only the surface, God looks into every heart. His justice is perfectly fair, rewarding each one according to their deeds. The message is clear: before pointing fingers at others, we must allow God to examine our own lives.

In the Gospel, Jesus speaks directly to the Pharisees and scribes, who outwardly appeared holy but inwardly had lost the heart of God’s law. He reproaches them for tithing even the smallest herbs, yet neglecting justice and the love of God. Their faith had become about performance rather than compassion, rules rather than relationship. Jesus’ words may sound harsh, but they are meant to awaken hearts grown complacent — hearts that substitute religious appearances for genuine love.

Dear friends, true religion, Jesus reminds us, is not measured by meticulous observance, but by how deeply we embody God’s mercy and fairness in daily life. The Pharisees’ problem was not their dedication to detail, but that they missed the greater purpose — to reflect God’s heart in how they treated others.

This means bringing our faith into real life. It means showing patience when it’s easier to criticize, choosing kindness when we’re tempted to condemn, and seeking to understand rather than to judge. Our faith should make us more compassionate, not more self-righteous; more humble, not more proud.

Every one of us is a work in progress. None of us can stand before God as perfect — and that’s precisely why His mercy is so beautiful. When we stop judging and start loving, we begin to reflect the very heart of Christ.

Let us then ask ourselves today: Do I live my faith from the heart, or only by outward routine? Do I bring others closer to God through my words and actions, or do I push them away through judgment or pride?

May we, like Paul and like the saints, learn to live with humility — recognizing our need for God’s mercy and extending that same mercy to others. For in the end, what God desires most is not perfection of practice, but sincerity of love.