Homily for Thursday
31st Week of Ordinary Time
Nov. 6, 2025
Rom 14: 7-12
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence,
N.R.
The Works of Mercy (Pierre Montallier)
“If we live, we
live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord” (Rom 14: 8).
Our 1st reading
has 2 parts. In the 1st, Paul affirms
simply that we belong to the Lord Jesus in both life and death. While we’re alive, we strive to act always
with him in mind, to please him in our words, actions, even our thoughts. When it’s time for us to die, we readily hand
ourselves over to him, confident that we continue to live, just as he lives in
the resurrection.
We might recall
Paul’s words to the Philippians: “To me,
life is Christ, and death is gain. If I
go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. . . . I long to depart this life and be with
Christ, for that is far better” (1:21-23).
In the 2d part, he
seems to change the subject entirely, telling us it’s not our business to judge
others. Rather, we will be judged
by the Lord, judged on our words, actions, even our thoughts, particularly our
humility and charity: “Why do you look
down on your brother or sister?” (Rom 14:10).
Even as we judge, so shall we be judged.
“To the one who has shown mercy, mercy will be given” (cf. Matt 5:7).
Therefore, we
focus on the Lord and try to please him.
That gives us plenty to handle, without worrying about how others are doing
so.
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