Today’s Gospel is a “woe to you” gospel. Jesus is berating the Pharisees for their lack of openness to Him and to His message. Even before Jesus began to preach the Pharisees had tried, judged, and condemned Him.

Most of us, if not all of us, have a “Pharisee” within us. Judging others seems to be part of our human condition. Often we are  not even aware of the judgments we are making about others. It happens so automatically. We may judge them on what they say, how they act, or what they believe. At these times we are being the Pharisee! Yet who are we to judge? We all do it, but we do not like it when others judge us.

Perhaps Jesus is reminding us to be mindful today. He may be asking us to be attentive not only to how and when we judge others but also to how we judge ourselves. We often are pretty vicious in judging ourselves. Today when we become aware that we are judging another or ourselves, may we pause, take a deep breath, and deliberately let go of our judgment.

Today may we strive to have the mind and heart of Jesus!