Recognizing Acts in Error

Gospel Reflection 10/13/2022

"Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter, and you stopped those trying to enter. When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say" (Luke 11:51-54).

Jesus is the prince of peace but also the hand of justice and righteousness. In today's reading, He reminds the Jewish leaders quite harshly, "Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed" (Luke 11:47). In other words, he is pointing out the hypocrisy of dedicating a tomb to the prophets of old who were wrongly put to death for speaking the truth. "Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them, and you do the building" (Luke 11:48). Jesus understands that his message will likewise not be accepted, and He, like the prophets, will suffer death at the hands of those that do not recognize the messengers of God. "I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute 'in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building" (Luke 11:49-51).

It seems the times we live in today, many Christians and non-Christians do not want to address that Jesus, throughout scripture, corrects those in error, imparting a righteous judgment. Jesus calls us to judge righteously as we read in John 7:24 “Stop judging by appearances, but judge justly." Let's be honest in today's Gospel, Jesus' talk does not fit in with today's so-called "culture of kindness." Bishop Barron writes, "If there is one absolute in our secular culture today, it is non-judgmentalism."{1} Now, this does not mean that when we judge an act, we are to become sanctimonious or consider ourselves morally superior to anyone. We do not judge the person's heart, for this is God's realm, but we must address when an act is wrong or hypocritical. Our Christian duty is to speak up and judge when an act is evil or in error, as this is a true act of charity. Should we remain silent against the evil of abortion, for example, that goes against our Catholic faith? Are we not to lovingly guide those towards what our faith teaches on the dignity of life from conception until death?

Today ask the Lord to give you the proper guidance in becoming a better and stronger Christian. We are in a spiritual battle today, and if we genuinely seek truth in the Lord, we understand it will not always be a comfortable ride. Many things in the world will be contrary to our faith, and if we fail to admit or address these weaknesses in ourselves and the world, we will become like the Pharisees whom Christ spoke. Let's remain humble as Christ taught us while lovingly bringing souls to His Kingdom. 

Reference:

https://www.wordonfire.org/videos/sermons/judgment-and-love/