Reflect today on how you look and treat those whose sins are somehow manifest

Tax collectors and sinners were all approaching to hear Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Luke 15: 1-2

How do you treat the sinners you meet? Do you avoid them, talk about them, mock them, pity them or ignore them? Hopefully not! How should you treat the sinner? Jesus allowed them to get close to him and was attentive to them. In fact, he was so merciful and kind to the sinner that he was harshly criticized by the Pharisees and scribes. And you? Are you willing to associate with the sinner to the point of being open to criticism?

It's easy enough to be tough and critical of those who "deserve it". When we see someone clearly lost, we can almost feel justified in pointing the finger and laying them down as if we were better than them or as if they were dirt. What an easy thing to do and what a mistake!

If we want to be like Jesus we must have a very different attitude towards them. We need to act differently towards them than we might feel we are acting. Sin is ugly and dirty. It is easy to be critical of someone who is trapped in a cycle of sin. However, if we do this, we are no different from the Pharisees and scribes of Jesus' time. And we will most likely receive the same harsh treatment Jesus suffered for our lack of mercy.

It is interesting to note that one of the only sins that Jesus constantly reproaches is that of judgment and criticism. It is almost as if this sin closes the door to God's mercy in our lives.

Reflect today on how you look and treat those whose sins are somehow manifest. Do you treat them with mercy? Or do you react with contempt and act with a heart that judges? Put yourself back to mercy and total lack of judgment. The judgment is for Christ to give, not yours. You are called to mercy and compassion. If you can offer just that, you will be much more like our merciful Lord.

Lord, help me when I feel like being tough and judging. Help me to turn a compassionate eye towards the sinner by seeing the goodness you put into their souls before seeing their sinful deeds. Help me leave judgment to You and embrace mercy instead. Jesus I believe in you.