The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to assess our judgement of the people in our community who live in precarious situations and our efforts to bring the justice preached by Jesus to these situations.
The Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans proclaims God’s Just Judgment.
* [2:1–11] As a first step in his demonstration that Jews enjoy no real moral supremacy over Gentiles, Paul explains that the final judgment will be a review of performance, not of privilege. From this perspective Gentiles stand on an equal footing with Jews, and Jews cannot condemn the sins of Gentiles without condemning themselves.
* [2:6] Will repay everyone according to his works: Paul reproduces the Septuagint text of Ps 62:12 and Prv 24:12.
* [2:11] No partiality with God: this sentence is not at variance with the statements in Rom 2:9–10. Since Jews are the first to go under indictment, it is only fair that they be given first consideration in the distribution of blessings. Basic, of course, is the understanding that God accepts no bribes (Dt 10:17). (Romans, CHAPTER 2, n.d.)
Psalm 62 is a song of trust.
* [Psalm 62] A song of trust displaying serenity from experiencing God’s power (the refrains of Ps 62:2–3 and Ps 62:6–7) and anger toward unjust enemies (Ps 62:4–5). From the experience of being rescued, the psalmist can teach others to trust in God (Ps 62:9–12). (Psalms, PSALM 62, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke continues Jesus' Denunciation of the Pharisees and Scholars of the Law.
* [11:37–54] This denunciation of the Pharisees (Lk 11:39–44) and the scholars of the law (Lk 11:45–52) is set by Luke in the context of Jesus’ dining at the home of a Pharisee. Controversies with or reprimands of Pharisees are regularly set by Luke within the context of Jesus’ eating with Pharisees (see Lk 5:29–39; 7:36–50; 14:1–24). A different compilation of similar sayings is found in Mt 23 (see also notes there).
* [11:44] Unseen graves: contact with the dead or with human bones or graves (see Nm 19:16) brought ritual impurity. Jesus presents the Pharisees as those who insidiously lead others astray through their seeming attention to the law.
* [11:45] Scholars of the law: see note on Lk 10:25. (Luke, CHAPTER 11, n.d.)
Eileen Wirth offers some thoughts about helping homeless people. When Jesus told the Pharisees that “You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them” she notes a City Council considering two approaches to the issue. One suggestion, hopefully abandoned, would be to disband unsightly encampments and fine residents if they refuse to move. The other calls for disbanding the encampments after helping residents find housing and counseling for mental health, substance abuse or other problems.
But Jesus tells us to “lift one finger to touch them.” There are ways to stay in your comfort zone and still do this: you can swing a hammer at a Habitat for Humanity, build or join your parish St. Vincent de Paul Society. You can even get creative like my daughter did when she was a waitress in high school. Every weekend she would drop off leftover baked goods at a homeless shelter to keep them from being thrown away.
I don’t want to imply that all homeless people are alike. When I did some mentoring for Habitat, I discovered that homeless or poorly housed people seeking a better life were individuals like the rest of us. They’ve just had much more difficult lives than those of us who grew up in stable homes, I marveled at how they coped with problems that would have defeated me like domestic violence and caring for troubled children. Many juggled two horrible jobs just to stay afloat. It was easy to see Jesus in these people.
And now as I’m getting involved in a project for Habitat, I’m reminding myself that Jesus was homeless! (Wirth, 2025)
Don Schwager quotes “Binding heavy burdens on others,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).
"Just as the scribes and Pharisees wickedly sat upon the throne of Moses, so do some in the church who sit upon the ecclesiastical throne. There are some in the church who have the right understanding of the law and pass it on correctly. They say what each person needs to do, but they themselves do not do it. Some of them lay heavy burdens upon the shoulders of men, but they won't even lift a finger to help. These are the ones the Savior is talking about when he says, 'Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of God' (Matthew 5:19). There are others, however, who sit on the throne, who act before they speak and speak wisely, restraining those who are disordered. They place merciful burdens on the shoulders of others. They themselves are the first to lift the heavy burden, for the exhortation of other listeners. It is these of whom the Lord speaks when he says, 'He who does so and teaches others to do so, this man will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 9) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Romans 2:1-11 comments that God also wants us to withhold judgment (Matthew 7:1). As we refrain from rash judgments—including judgments against those poor drivers out there—we are opening up space in our hearts to receive more of his peace. We recall the ways he has shown us mercy and forbearance, and that helps us grow in patience with the people who annoy us the most.
Only God is the final and just judge. Only he can set everything right. His ways and his thoughts are not ours. So let’s all slow down, breathe a short prayer, and ask him to fill us with his patience and kindness. His judgments are true—and they are merciful!
“Father, help me withhold judgment as you do, especially in those situations that are the most challenging to me.” (Meditation on Romans 2:1-11, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler recalls Paul’s earlier teaching in Romans 2 that the pagans deserve to be punished because in the worship of beasts they have become beast-like. He reminds the Jews you are more guilty and you rejected the goodness and forbearance of God. Commenting on punishment to the Jews and Gentiles Paul asserts that everyone deserves to be condemned and God has forgiven. The hypocrisy of the Pharisee is illustrated by tithing on mint and rue by counting grains of salt. This is scrupulosity but not interior conversion. The Scribes interpret the Law as a burden rather than a help. Friar Jude notes we are concerned with rules and external actions more than renewal of our hearts.
Fr. Mike Schmitz explains the importance of wisdom in our everyday lives when we face temptations to gossip, encouraging us in the battle for virtue, wisdom, and goodness. He emphasizes that we must ask the Lord for his wisdom to guide us as we interact with the people around us, just like the Jews prayed before battle. Today’s readings are 1 Maccabees 7, Sirach 19-21, and Proverbs 22:22-25.
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Theologian Dr. Obery Hendricks Jr. who describes the Jesus he was introduced to in his church communities as a meek and gentle Savior.
To say that Jesus was a political revolutionary is to say that the message he proclaimed not only called for change in individual hearts but also demanded sweeping and comprehensive change in the political, social, and economic structures in his setting in life: colonized Israel. It means that if Jesus had his way, the Roman Empire and the ruling elites among his own people either would no longer have held their positions of power, or if they did, would have had to conduct themselves very, very differently…. It means that Jesus had a clear and unambiguous vision of the healthy world that God intended and that he addressed any issue—social, economic, or political—that violated that vision. (Rohr, 2025)
We seek the guidance of the Spirit as we accept our mission as disciples of Christ to work to alleviate the suffering in society by social, economic, and political policy that violates the healthy environment that God intends for us.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 11. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 15, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11?
Meditation on Romans 2:1-11. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved October 15, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/10/15/1407801/
Psalms, PSALM 62. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 15, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/62?2
Rohr, R. (2025, October 14). Can We Be Prophets Like Jesus? — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC.org. Retrieved October 15, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/can-we-be-prophets-like-jesus/
Romans, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 15, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/2?1
Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Load Burdens Hard to Bear. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 15, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
Wirth, E. (2025, October 15). Daily Reflection October 15, 2025 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved October 15, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-15-2025
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