Today we hear about a painful event in Israel's history. In approximately 721BC, the Assyrians conquered the city of Samaria and took the people of Israel to Assyria in exile.

Why would God allow such a tragedy? The Book of Kings tells us that it was because the people of Israel were not faithful to the covenant with God. They worshipped idols instead of loving the God Who created them.

Are we at risk of committing such a sin? An idol is not necessarily a carved statue. An idol is something that I place above God in my heart. It may be a habit, a relationship, or something that takes priority over God in my life. In the end, idols disappoint us, they cannot fulfil our deepest needs. Only God can fulfil our deepest desires. When God becomes the centre of my life, all relationships and things find their proper place.

In the Gospel today, Jesus warns us not to judge people. We can judge actions as good or bad, yet we do not have the authority to judge human beings. Perhaps my own faults are even greater than my neighbour's. Jesus invites us to treat others with patience and with mercy.