February 25, 2022, Friday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time-C
James 5:9-12
Psalm 103
Mark 10:1-12
Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. Ps. 103:8
Do not complain, brothers and sister, about one another… James 5:9
Lord, judging others, for many of us, is at least a part time job, for others, full-time. We can be so quick to spot the faults and weaknesses of somebody else. Most of the time we are completely convinced that we are 100% accurate in our sizing them up. We can be especially hard on someone who has hurt us. In James’ words today I notice that he speaks to us as brothers and sisters. I think he’s pointing out that we are all children of our Father in heaven. That makes us family. What good is done by being so focused on each other’s shortcomings, often ignoring our own. Lord, I can spot my brothers and sisters faults so easily because I share the same, familiar weaknesses as they. Lord, help me to have a new attitude toward those I meet, work with, or speak to. Help me to see them as you do. I have never walked in my brothers or sisters’ shoes so teach me to give them some slack, give them a break. The bottom line is, as James writes, you are compassionate and merciful. Maybe today I can try some of that too. Amen.