For as you judge, so will you be judged,
and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.
Today we hear Jesus’s gentle admonition of Matthew 7, that we should not judge others, immediately following the story of Assyria’s conquest of the northern kingdom. Most of God’s chosen people in the 8th century bce disappeared; “ten tribes of Israel” were lost to history. “Only the tribe of Judah was left.”
The Divine Authors of Kings believed this catastrophe followed inevitably because,
“…they did not listen, but were as stiff-necked as their fathers, who had not believed in the LORD, their God. They rejected his statutes,
the covenant which he had made with their fathers, and the warnings which he had given them…
If the judgement was cruel, so was the story. Their religion could allow no other conclusion.
In twenty-first century America, we might hear Matthew 7:1 as a teaching about multi-culturalism. Living in a nation whose people practice many religions and no religion, whose values vary from white racism to Spiritual But Not Religious to Roman Catholic orthodoxy, we might suppose “Stop judging” means value-free education, which is an oxymoron. That attitude assumes there is no god; and that is not an option for Catholics.
We believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, who presents us before the Judgement Seat as his beloved people. We do not doubt the existence of a supreme judge, nor do we challenge God’s right and authority to judge.
We hear this admonition as a warning, “Do not presume to displace the Lord and Judge of All with your own inane opinions!” Saint James reinforces this teaching:
Do not speak evil of one another, brothers. Whoever speaks evil of a brother or judges his brother speaks evil of the law and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save or to destroy. Who then are you to judge your neighbor?
Saint Paul encourages us to maintain a generous spirit toward everyone:
Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible, on your part, live at peace with all. Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Rather, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.
And finally, in his Sermon on the Mount, (where we started):
But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?
During these trying times, knowing our inability to stop judging others, we ask the Lord to give us this equable, peaceful spirit.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.