Feast of Saint William of Vercelli

Good morning. I have several thoughts this morning. First, I was renewed in the commitment to my own marriage through the witness of my daughter’s marriage and simply filled with joy in being witness to and sharing in the happiness and love of Chris and Sarah this past weekend. I was likewise moved by the love and familial support of Chris' family members who joined us, traveling from many distant places, in giving witness to this newly married couple's new found covenantal relationship with God.  May they enjoy many children and many blessed years together. 

Secondly, it is nearly impossible to avoid judging someone, but the Gospel for today certainly challenges us to do so. Well, not so quickly, the essence in what Jesus commands of us is in “for as you judge, so will you be judged.” It isn’t that we shouldn’t judge, in fact we have a moral obligation to judge and correct others’. If my neighbor is beating his wife, I have a moral obligation to judge and to take some action. If my spouse is proposing we cheat on our taxes, I have a moral obligation to call her out on that. 

 Now, this is likely one of the most repeated bits of scripture, often used by non-Christians in attempting to justify various immoral or wrongful things they hope to justify; they hope to sway us from judging whatever action it is they hope to justify by noting our own tendency for being sinful. They often suggest we remove the wooden beam from our eye first before removing the splinter from our brother's eye. Of course, we shouldn’t note someone else’s wrongful behavior if we are doing likewise, but we shouldn’t remain quiet either in the face of something we know to be wrong. If our government is engaged in wrongful acts we should be prepared to engage in civil disobedience versus supporting something which is clearly wrong. Each of need to look to the example of Saint William, whose life we celebrate today, and all the saints for ways to live better lives and to help each other to do so as well. This is certainly the case in marriage, in fact we are called to help one another to do what is right and good, but we should be careful not to judge wrongly—never assume we know what our spouse’s thoughts or intentions are, for only God knows the heart. Judgment should begin with a look in the mirror. Make a great day! 

Today we recall the good life, gifts, and work of Saint William of Vercelli.