Reflection
from the desk of Fr. Terry
Jesus
in today's gospel talks about judgement and punishment. Jesus does not agree
about the Jewish belief that the tragedies and misfortunes befall us are
punishment coming from God or if we are enjoying good fortune, it's a reward
from God for a good life. For the Jews, if your house is burned down of if you
have child born with mental and physical defect or your spouse died young or
you got sick, it was a sign that God punishes you for the sins committed. Jesus
says 'No'! we should not link sins with tragedies and misfortunes. On the
contrary it is not for us to judge people and their sins. No one but God really
knows what is in the human heart. God is not an avenging God, ready to pounce
upon anyone who violates the law. He is a compassionate God who seeks sinners.
