The Memorial of St Charles Borromeo

Rom. 14:7-12, Lk. 15:1-10. It is so easy to point to the errors and transgressions of others, especially when they have caused us pain. Yet, when we “point accusing finger” at others, we also say something about ourselves. When we use our index finger to point to someone else, there are three fingers pointing back at us: “the faults we find most in others are the faults we should find in ourselves.” Paul must have heard of bickering and criticism by certain members of the Roman community of faith, in today's first reading, he reminds them that they are not to judge each other, but should be conscious of the judgment they face when they stand in the presence of God. He tells them that they have been set free from slavery to laws and other masters once they claimed the mastery of Jesus over them. They are to be subject only to the will and desire of the Lord Jesus. Knowing that Jesus is the Master and Supreme judge of all, we must not sit in judgment over others. God will be the ultimate judge and to whom we should look unto.

Our attitude should reflect how God treats us when we sin. In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches us how the mercy of God comes to us in the parable of the lost sheep and coin. Both parables conclude with the recovery of lost goods, a lost sheep or lost silver pieces and the finder inviting friends and neighbours to share some food and drink. Such happy encounters are compared with God’s joy in Heaven over one repentant sinner, more than over the ninety-nine righteous who have no need to repent. Even more basic than our search for God is God’s search for us. The whole life of Jesus made visible God’s continual search for us. The shepherd who searches for his lost sheep and the woman who searches for her lost coin are images of this divine searching. God seeks us out because we are all lost in different ways. Our search for God is in response to God’s search for us. In the words of the first letter of St John, “We love because God first loved us.” God is willing to be tolerant with us if we admit our guilt and fall on the mercy of the divine court. If we turn towardS the Lord, God will completely remove any negative judgment against us, because God ultimately wants us to experience divine healing and salvation for He has already paid the price. St Charles Borromeo reflected the love of God in his actions as he proclaimed His truth. He was the famous Archbishop of Milan who was a faithful servant of God and one of the courageous leaders of Counter-Reformation. Charles was involved in many aspects of the Church, its leadership and pastoral engagements, spending a lot of time and effort to restructure the Church from creeping corruption, worldly forces and influences.

May the Lord grant us His mercy and salvation so that we may experience the surpassing knowledge of our God! Amen!! Good morning and have a wonderful day!!!