Today, Jesus emphasises the commission of compassionate deeds and omission of sin, following from the first reading's condemnation of greed and injustice. They are apiece in focusing our attention on what a good Christian is and is not to be like.

However, the key is the last part of the pericope concerning being "tested with fire." This concerns the spiritual and psychological purification of a person.

All actions or inactions can have multiple meanings and intentions. For a good Christian, there can be only one good intention: to do the will of God, just as Jesus did. Unfortunately, we tend to forget our purpose and mission in life, our baptismal commitments to serve God in the holy Catholic Church.

Rejecting Satan and believing in the Trinity and the Catholic Church commits us to a discerning dynamic resulting from such belief. Such discernment requires persistent practice, despite failures and setbacks and a growing relationship with God. By deepening one's faith, hope and trust in God, one can discern better for the good of our everyday life.

May the Holy Spirit inspire us to live a life for the common good, that is, for the community and environment around us, instead of just living for our own self-enrichment.