“People can and will judge us everyday but God will only judge us ONCE and His judgment is the ONLY one that matters.”

"It is not with the club of judgment that we will bring back the lost sheep to the fold, but with the holiness of life that is the principle of renewal and reform in the church…Holiness is nourished by love and knows how to bring upon itself the weight of those who are weaker. A missionary of mercy takes the sinner on his shoulders, and consoles him or her with the power of compassion." – Pope Francis

Scripture Text: (1 COR 4:1-5)

Brothers and sisters:

Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ

and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Now it is of course required of stewards

that they be found trustworthy.

It does not concern me in the least

that I be judged by you or any human tribunal;

I do not even pass judgment on myself;

I am not conscious of anything against me,

but I do not thereby stand acquitted;

the one who judges me is the Lord.

Therefore, do not make any judgment before the appointed time,

until the Lord comes,

for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness

and will manifest the motives of our hearts,

and then everyone will receive praise from God.

St. Paul speaks of his indifference to “judgment”, whether by individuals or by institutions. The ultimate act of judgment, in Paul’s text, is that which will be given by the Lord at His coming.

“What will the Lord ask us on that day?

Did you go to Mass? Have you prepared a good catechesis?” the Pope in November of 2015 asked the general audience in St. Peter's Square. While these things are important, the deeper questions will be on the poor.

It’s the choice we will be faced with when we meet Jesus face to face:

“Did you use your life for yourself or to serve? To defend yourself from others with walls, or to welcome with love? This will be the final decision of Jesus.”