Monday, November 8 : Asterius of Amasea

O you who are hard-hearted, incapable of gentleness, learn of your Creator’s goodness and do not be bitter judges and arbitrators of your fellow servants as you wait for the coming of him who will disclose the hidden places of the heart and will himself, the all-powerful Lord, determine each one’s place in the world to come. Don’t assign severe judgements that you may not be judged in the same way and rent by the words of your own mouth as if by sharp teeth. For it is against this kind of crime that these words of the Gospel seem to warn us: “Do not judge and you will not be judged” (Lk 6:37). In saying this he is not doing away with discernment and wisdom; what he is referring to as judgement is over-severe condemnation. So far as possible, then, lighten the weight of your measure if you don’t want your actions to weigh too heavy on the scales when our lives are weighed as on a balance at God’s judgment. (…) Never refuse to show mercy that you may not be denied forgiveness when you are in need of it yourself.

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team