MAKE EXCUSE FOR OTHERS

As human beings, we are very quick to react to situations around us, we are quick to judge what we see even when we do not fully understand. God does not act that way. He knows us all and he understands how the human mind works.

In the first reading of today, the prophet Daniel expresses the fact that God is merciful and compassionate and he does not treat us according to our sins. Despite the terrible things the people of Israel had done, God still looked at them mercifully and did not judge and treat them harshly.
 
It is this same attitude Jesus calls us to emulate in the gospel reading of today. We are called to not only seek to know the full truth before judging, but to also put ourselves in the circumstance of the offender. Many of us criticise others, but when given the opportunity, or in the same situation with them, we may do worse. The saying goes that uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Sometimes we should try and make excuses for people until we hear their own side of the story and we will discover that our premature judgement of people is wrong. No one is perfect, and if God should treat us according to our sins, no one will survive (Psalm 130:3).

*Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP.