Everything Human is Critical
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Jesus endured the Cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.”Hebrews 12:2
Even the most virtuous and meritorious person can be the object of all kinds of criticism, as in fact were the saints and Jesus Christ himself being God, and it is that our human condition is part of the imperfection of nature and of this world, as a consequence of sin.
We are and will always be limited and incomplete, and we see only partially. This means that he who does not limp on one foot limps on the other and that, if he does one thing well, he can’t do others. Nobody can do everything and be good at everything. That is why those who have a critical attitude will spend their lives criticizing and will never lack something to criticize. But, what is that about? To criticize? To report? I think not. Christ did not trace that path for us, but that of announcing the Good News, preaching the Kingdom, and each one will take what he wants or what he can, according to his lights and abilities.
For example, what does one gain from criticizing the Church? It is throwing earth against the roof itself, because we are a body. Rather, we should all focus on being spiritually healthy, on being holy, and this is the best way to transmit holiness and help others to heal and sanctify themselves; it is the best help we can give to the Church, more than any criticism.
Let us also consider what Jesus says:
“…whatever you do to the least of them, you do it to me.”Mt 25
“Whoever rejects you rejects me.”Lk 10,16
The truth must always go together with charity, therefore defamation is also a sin because, even if it is true, if it is not going to build, we should not divulge the evil or imperfection committed, since it is a way of spreading tares. We must have charity towards the sinner and help him with fraternal corrections, proposing and never imposing, because that will not help at all. And what we cannot change, accept it as a healthy penance, as we accept the limitations that life itself imposes on us, part of the cross of each day to be disciples of Christ.
“Let no harmful word come out of your mouth, but what is good for the necessary edification.”Ephesians 4,29
From here it is understood that the Church cannot do much with its own critics, since most of these criticisms come from a partial view that focuses on looking for lack and error, and there will be no lack, because no one does things as we would like, but is not in our hands to change, because we are limited, we have limited people and forces, talents and restricted capacities.
Jesus himself was criticized, as the Church, Bishops, Priests and laity continue to be. Jesus predicted it to us, that he would bring division, because not everyone wants to receive the light from him. What do we do? No one can change anyone but himself. And no one is born to meet one’s expectations; whom we must please and to whom we will all render accounts of the talents received will be God.
Readings for the Week
Monday: Vigil: 1 Chr 15:3-4, 15-16; 16:1-2; Ps 132:6-7, 9-10, 13-14; 1 Cor 15:54b-57; Lk 11:27-28 Day: Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Ps 45:10-12, 16; 1 Cor 15:20-27; Lk 1:39-56
Tuesday: Ez 28:1-10; Dt 32:26-28, 30, 35cd-36ab; Mt 19:23-30
Wednesday: Ez 34:1-11; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 20:1-16
Thursday: Ez 36:23-28; Ps 51:12-15, 18-19; Mt 22:1-14
Friday: Ez 37:1-14; Ps 107:2-9; Mt 22:34-40
Saturday: Ez 43:1-7ab; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Mt 23:1-12
Sunday: Is 66:18-21; Ps 117:1, 2; Heb 12:5-7, 11-13; Lk 13:22-30
Saints & Special Observances
Sunday: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Monday: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Tuesday: St. Stephen of Hungary
Friday: St. John Eudes