Archives » June 23, 2008
With great enthusiasm a little boy approached the sales person about a special gift he was seeking for Mother’s Day. Did the sales person know if the store had a selection of cookie jars? The little boy knew how much his mom loved cookies – especially chocolate chip cookies.
The child was directed to a counter that displayed a large array of cookie jars – so many different types. The youngster carefully lifted and replaced each lid. When he checked out the last one, his heart sank. “Aren’t there any covers that don’t make any noise?” he asked.
It is so easy to conceal from ourselves the real motivation for our behavior – particularly when we judge others. Too often we judge out of our own insecurities –judging that is rooted in a wobbly self-worth. For some reason, it is easier to jump to negative conclusions about people than it is to assume the best about them. When we do this, we sometimes reveal something about ourselves – the faults we see in others are actually a reflection of our own. It’s just easier sometimes to be critical rather than to be constructive.
We may decide not to improve ourselves but instead to make others look smaller by criticizing them. On occasion we may focus on other’s faults to make our own disappear; magnify another’s to minimize our own. Of course, revenge or jealousy is an insidious motivation for judging others.
Our Lord tells us “Judge not, that you be not judged.” This day before you judge another ask this most important question: “What is my intent?” If your intent originates from love, for the higher good of others, to inspire justice, then grace paves your way. Otherwise, be wary for “the measure you give will be the measure you get.”
Permalink | Categories: Living the Gospel Everyday
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye. Mt 7:1-5
The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Permalink | Categories: Gospel Reading of the Day
We are given a word of caution about judging and speaking unkindly about others. So often we wish to speak of the faults of others, criticize the motivation in what they do, pass judgment on their behavior. Jesus uses the example of seeking to remove a speck from another’s eye while unaware of the tree limb in our own eye.
Let us pray:
Merciful Savior, hear my prayer that you will help me find true understanding of my relationship with you, one that is honest, realistic, aware of the goodness in your providence. Let me not pretend to superiority in myself and in my service to you. Let me judge only myself and leave others to your merciful kindness. Rev. William Simmons, CSC
Permalink | Categories: Prayer of the Day
