"A GOOD MAN IS NOT A PERFECT MAN; A GOOD MAN IS AN

 HONEST MAN, FAITHFUL AND UNHESITATINGLY RESPONSIVE

TO THE VOICE OF GOD IN HIS LIFE."

                                            - Saint John Fisher 

 

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

1st Reading: 

2 Kings 17:5-8, 13-15a, 18

The army of the king

Of Asshur subjected the whole of Israel, coming to Samaria and laying siege to it for three years.

In the ninth year of the reign of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria,

exiled the Israelites to Asshur and made them settle in Halah, at the banks of Habor,

the river of Gozan, as well as in the cities of the Medes.

 

This happened because the children of Israel had sinned against the Lord, their God,

who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, where they were subject to Pharaoh.

But they had turned back to other gods.

They followed the customs of the nations which Yahweh had driven out before them.

 

The Lord warned Israel and Judah through the mouth of every prophet and seer,

saying: "Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments

and precepts according to the laws which I commanded your fathers and which I have sent to you

by my servants, the prophets." But they did not listen and refused, as did their fathers,

 

who did not believe in the Lord, their God. They despised his statutes and the Covenant

he had made with their fathers, and the warnings he had given them.

The Lord became indignant with Israel and cast them far away

from his presence, leaving only the tribe of Judah.

 

Ps 60:3, 4-5, 12-13

Help us with your right hand, O Lord, and answer us.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Matthew 7:1-5

Do not judge; and you will not be judged. In the same way you judge others, you will be judged;

and the measure you use for others will be used for you. Why do you look at the speck brother's eye,

and not see the plank in your own eye? in your How can you say to your brother,

'Come, let me take the speck from your eye, as long as that plank is in  your own? Hypocrite,

remove the plank out of your own eye; then, you will see clearly, to remove the speck out of your brother's eye.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

We, too, are imperfect. 

Our reading invites us to reflect deeply on how we judge others. The Lord tells us,

"Do not Judge, and you will not be judged." This message is not an invitation to overlook wrongdoing

but a reminder to approach others with the same grace we hope to receive.

Often, we notice the flaws n others more clearly than in ourselves, quickly pointing out their mistakes

while ignoring our own. When we judge harshly, we forget that we, too, are imperfect.

 

If we view others through a ens of grace, recognizing that we share the same struggles and failings,

we can build relationships rooted in compassion rather than in criticism.

Jesus challenges us to examine ourselves honestly and address our shortcomings

before attempting to correct others. By doing so, we cultivate a pirit of humility,

empathy, and love, seeing others as fellow travelers needing grace just as we do.