In today’s first reading from the Book of Daniel, Daniel confesses to God on behalf of the people. “We have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws.” Sound familiar? But wait…there’s more. Some good news. As Daniel says, “But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness!” In the Gospel from Luke 6, Jesus says, “Stop judging and you will not be judged.”
Is it just me, or does it seem that this is one of the most quoted passages in Scripture these days? In these days of moral relativism, everyone wants to do their own thing. And invariably, when they wish to do what is wrong in the sight of God, and others call them on it, the first thing we hear is “Judge not lest you be judged!” In other words no one is allowed to say that anything is wrong any more. If we stand up for traditional marriage, the lives of the unborn, defending the innocent, we are immediately labeled as judgemental bigots.
Let’s get something straight about this saying of Jesus. Jesus did not mean that we may not judge the ACTIONS of people. If taken to this illogical conclusion, why would we have laws or courts or JUDGES? We can, in fact we MUST judge the actions of people. There are rules and laws that must be followed. Paramount among these are the laws of God. Legal abortion, homosexual “marriage” and embryonic stem cell research are all things that go against the laws of God. We have a responsibility to judge these things. What we cannot do is judge the hearts of people. Only they and God know where their hearts are. Let us pray that ours are in the right place.
Father, forgive us for those times when we judge others, especially from their looks, accents, nationality, etc. We pray that our hearts will be in the right place today and every day. Amen.
Parishes around the country have given A Minute in the Church to their folks in RCIA. Would you like to make a wonderful gift to your parish’s RCIA program? Find out about some great buy one/get one half price deals on A Minute in the Church at www.GusLloyd.com.
0 comments