“St. Paul says something very striking today: “It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal.”

At first, Paul may sound as if he does not care what anybody thinks. But that is not what he means. Paul knew how to listen. He accepted correction. He valued the community. But he had reached a certain spiritual freedom: he no longer allowed other people’s opinions to determine his worth or control his mission.

And perhaps we need that freedom today. Many of us spend too much energy worrying about what other people think. What will they say about me? Will they like me? Will they criticize me? How many people liked my post? What are they saying behind my back?

Sometimes, without realizing it, we begin to live not before God, but before an audience. And when we live for people’s approval, we become prisoners. If they praise us, we are happy. If they criticize us, we are miserable. If they appreciate us, we work harder. If nobody notices us, we lose enthusiasm.

But St. Paul reminds us: our ultimate audience is God.

This does not mean that we ignore criticism. Sometimes criticism is God’s way of correcting us. We must remain humble enough to ask: Is there some truth here that I need to hear? But after listening honestly and examining our conscience, we must also learn to move on. Because you cannot please everyone.

Even Jesus could not please everyone. He healed people, and some criticized Him. He ate with sinners, and they criticized Him. He preached the truth, and they rejected Him. He gave His life, and they crucified Him.

So if Jesus Himself was criticized, why should we expect to go through life receiving only applause?

You cannot please everyone

There is a simple story about a father, his son, and their donkey.

The father rode the donkey while the boy walked. People said, “What a selfish father! He lets his poor son walk.”

So the father got down and let his son ride. Soon others said, “What a disrespectful boy! His old father is walking while he rides.”

So both of them rode the donkey. People complained, “How cruel! Look at that poor animal carrying two people!”

So both got down and walked. Then people laughed, “What fools! They have a donkey, and nobody is riding it!”

The father finally looked at his son and said, “My son, if we try to please everyone, we will never reach our destination.”

Final Words

My dear friends, the same is true of our journey with God. Listen to people. Learn from criticism. Correct yourself when necessary. But do not become a prisoner of other people’s opinions.

At the end of our lives, God will not ask us, “Did everybody like you?” He will ask us, “Were you faithful?”

So keep walking. Even when people misunderstand you. Even when nobody applauds you. Even when your goodness goes unnoticed. Do what is right, not because people are watching, but because God is.”