The opening words of today's reading from the letter to the Romans remind us of two salient points: Paul was a pastor and much of his teaching is derived quite clearly from the teaching of Jesus.

First of all: Paul was a great theologian and thinker and, by the grace of God, has had an enormous influence on the doctrine of the church. But his primary vocation was to be an Apostle, and while an Apostle must proclaim the truth about Jesus Christ and teach the Church's understanding of that truth, he must also promote the spiritual life of those who accept his preaching and guide them to live morally good and holy lives. So, today the great apostle deals with the commonplace sin of judging others.

Though Paul does not quote the Gospels or the words of Jesus directly, reading this passage today with an attentive heart, we hear clearly Jesus teaching us not to be judgemental in our attitudes to others, for none of us is without our own faults and failings.