“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Monday, 26th June 2017.
Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Gen 12: 1-9;
Ps 33: 12-13, 18-20, 22;
Mt 7: 1-5.
DO NOT JUDGE!
Being judgmental can be a difficult thing to shake off. Once someone falls into the habit of regularly thinking and speaking in a harsh and critical way, it’s very difficult for them to change. In fact, once someone starts down the road of being critical and judgmental, chances are that they will continue down that road becoming more critical and more judgmental. This is one of the reasons Jesus addresses this tendency in such a strong way. After the passage above Jesus states, “You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first…” These words and Jesus’ strong condemnation of being judgmental is not so much because Jesus is angry or harsh toward the judgmental person. Rather, He wants to redirect them from the road they are heading down and help to free them of this heavy burden. So an important question to ponder is this: “Is Jesus talking to me? Do I struggle with being judgmental?” If the answer is “Yes,” fear not and do not get discouraged. Seeing this tendency and admitting it is very important and is the first step toward the virtue which is opposite of being judgmental. The virtue is mercy. And mercy is one of the most important virtues we can have today.
It seems that the times we live in demand mercy more than ever. Perhaps one of the reasons for that is the extreme tendency, as a world culture, to be harsh and critical of others. All you need to do is read a newspaper, browse social media, or watch the nightly news programs to see that our world culture is one that is continually growing in the tendency to analyze and criticize. This is a real problem. The good thing about mercy is that God uses either our judgmental attitude or our mercy the measuring rod of how He treats us. He will act with great mercy and forgiveness toward us when we show that virtue. But He will also show His justice and judgment when this is the path we take with others. It’s up to us!
Participants in the kingdom of God are to leave the judgment to the final judge. Like their master they are to be involved in healing and restoration. The motivation is always, loving one’s neighbour as oneself. Also, we never know the whole facts or the whole person. No man is good enough to judge any other man. There is a beautiful Chinese saying: “We see only one third of what lies in front of our eyes, but two thirds is behind our eyes.”
Reflect today, on what is your primary tendency? Remind yourself that mercy is always far more rewarding and satisfying than being judgmental. It produces joy, peace and freedom. Put mercy in your mind and, commit yourself to seeing the blessed rewards of this precious gift.
Prayer: Lord, please do fill my heart with mercy. Help me to set aside all critical thinking and harsh words and replace them with Your love. Help me rectify my own life before I offer fraternal correction to others. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
Copyright ©2013-2017 ©JoyCat, Joy of the Catholic Life: see www.joy-cat.blogspot.com.
