It's not about being right!

INTRODUCTION

Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Jesus reminds us today to remove the splinter from our own eyes before we remove that of our neighbour. In our first reading, Paul narrates to Timothy his conversion and how he has guided by the grace of the Lord from being a persecutor to being a missionary disciple. We honour today the Greek Father, and a Doctor of the Church St. John Chrysostom. He is called the Golden Mouth for his sermons explaining the Scriptures with clarity and passion. For the many times we judged on our own accord, let us beg the Lord for his mercy and pardon.

HOMILY | Colossians 3:1-11 | Luke 6:20-26

Our readings today invites us towards conversion; conversion of perspectives from outward opinion of reality, into internal introspection; from judgment to self-knowledge.

Examine our conscience: [CCC 1736] “The examination of conscience must be done before the cross of the Lord.” So we will be reminded that he died for us all, that we are all sinners in one way or the other, that we sin differently from the rest, that we are sinner altogether, but nevertheless saved. In our first reading, Paul recounts his days as an enemy and persecutor of the CHurch, and how he was considered and appointed by Christ. By Examining our conscience, we get to get a glimpse into our selves; hopefully to see our enormous capacity to sin, and hopefully see our enormous capacity to love. Hopefully we chose to follow the latter. Because love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

Fraternal correction: If we correct our Brothers and Sisters, our confreres, or anyone by our own accord, it could be misunderstood as an attack. Our opinions do count but Christ has left us an objective measure, a standard of fraternal correction, -the Gospel, his very life. The Gospel of Christ is our credibility. Jesus Christ is our credibility in correcting others, and rebuking all forms of injustice. But remember that the Gospel does not judge, it does not trample spirits of those who listen; instead it encourages those who listen. It invites. It inspires.

Lastly, we change the world not by opinions but by our examples. We, ourselves must be the change we would want to see in the world. Be ourselves the saints we want our Children to assimilate. Be the kindness, the holiness and the loving attitude we would like to see thriving in each person we encounter. Live our lives in a manner that we leave our own marks for others to follow, and make sure these marks lead to Christ ultimately. At the end of the day, in matters of relationships, it is not about being right all the time that counts, but also being inspiring. It’s not about being right. It is about being inspiring. Amen.