It is 22nd June 2020. We celebrate the memorial of St. Paulinus, Bishop of Nola. The readings are from 2 Kings 17:5-8, 13-15, 18; and the Gospel is from Matthew 7:1-5.
Can we live a life without judging? We all judge the others and the things around while we do not judge ourselves justly. Whether we like it or not, others judge us the way we are, and the way we present ourselves to the world. The way we judge the other tells the story of our souls and character. Do we judge others with charity and clarity or condemnation and criticism? How do we judge others with mercy or harsh measures?
The first reading brings out the historical context in which one looked down on the other. Even though people of Israel did the acts that displeased the Lord, yet they were too quick to judge the Samaritans as impure and unworthy of God’s benefits and blessings and been called as Israelites.
In the Gospel, Mathew uses passive voice without mentioning God, “Do not judge, you may not be judged (by God).” (Mt. 7:1). We are reading and reflecting the final portion of the Sermon on the Mount. “For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” (Mt. 7:2). The way we treat others externally is the way we handle ourselves internally. Judging is as equal as digging out the speck from the others while we struggle seeing clearly due to a block in our vision. We are all brighten up and ultra-alert picking up the faults of the others. But we fail desperately to be aware and act when we have fallen. How could we judge without knowing the right and wrong; the both sides of the coin; and two or more versions of the reality?
More we know ourselves, less we judge others. Less we are aware of what is going on within, we engage in collecting the pieces from others. We do not have ample ambiance to deal with our faults and failures, but we afford to find time and resources to judge the actions of the others. Tearing apart and exposing the faults of the others so much just because we compare and cannot bear to see the growth and the level they have reached in their life.
It is time to weed out the thorns and thistles overgrown in our garden before we wish to extend a helping hand in removing the weeds from the near-by garden. We need to work on our arrogance forgetting our own personal and serious limitations. Let us minimize judging others and maximize our focus appreciating and be grateful for what we are and what we can be. Our conduct matters for our character.
May the Holy Spirit help us loving others than judging and condemning them. May you have a good day. God bless you.