Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
The anger Jesus showed in yesterday’s Gospel is a prelude to greater anger in what we read today. Once again it is the Pharisees, the specialists in their day of religious practice that raises his ire. No “sweet Jesus” here. So before him, I have to ask myself honestly: Is the Pharisee alive and thriving, subtly hidden, within myself? I regard myself a good Catholic, one who keeps the commandments, supports what the Church supports and condemns what the Church condemns. Thank God for that. But is it also possible that I sometimes forget that every gift God has given me should express itself in faith in the giver and also an expression of love for my brothers and sisters, particularly with those who oppose me? The true disciple of Jesus is the one who puts into practice the Word who speaks challengingly to him in the Gospel and quietly in his heart.
In the first reading, after taking on the pagans, “who by their wickedness suppress the truth.” Paul says in so many words to the Jews: “And who are you to judge?… In so far as you judge you will be judged.” The point is God alone is judge. So, today when we are confronted by those “who by their wickedness want to suppress the truth” by taking away our religious freedom, destroying marriage, murdering the innocent or imposing on us a gay agenda, we must be careful to condemn the actions but not the perpetrators. “Who am I to judge hearts?” This is sometimes difficult to refrain from doing, but today’s feast should should make it a delight. It was through St. Margaret Mary that Jesus showed the world his Sacred Heart, the symbol of his infinite love for every person, especially sinners.