Saturday, June 26, 2021
Judging
Yesterday we contemplated how we might refrain from judging one another. Today we reflect on how we might judge as God judges.
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:3-5. Here I am; testify against me before the Lord . . . It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal . . .
What we read today is how to “fear” the Lord, how to stand in awe of God before all else and before anyone else. Only God is God. Only God matters. God alone is enough, says Teresa of Ávila.
The Liturgy of the Hours prayers and Mass readings often reflect this theme.
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful . . . Whoever exalts himself will be humbled . . . Whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Pride sets subtle snares. Whenever we imagine that we are in control of life – our own or someone else’s – we have fallen prey to the ancient whisper in the Garden: “You shall be like gods”. Mortality is the enduring reminder that we become like God not only by our own power but by the power of the cross. (MAGNIFICAT, 304)
We have a number of reminders today: No one’s but God’s opinion matters; we do not need to strive to be gods for we are children of God; we behave divinely when we humble ourselves just as Jesus does; our happiness comes after and through our suffering; pride is deceptive and alluring.
In his farewell speech, Samuel challenges his audience to judge him or to find fault with his conduct. Paul tells us that he does not care at all about who judges him or how. The one who judges me is the Lord. Of course, we can take these views to the extreme and pretend that we can do as we like and that we do not have to conform to any civil rules or social mores. This would be an extreme and unreasonable position to hold for even Jesus tells us to render Caesar’s business unto Caesar. The words we read today help us with the most important part of our being . . . our spiritual self. These words today help us to focus properly on what is vital to us and significant in our lives: our relationship with God.
Fortunately for us God is merciful and forgiving. Blessedly for us God loves us and is waiting for us to turn to him. God waits for us graciously and compassionately. Let us accept God’s gift with humility. Let us take the lowest seat at the table so that we might stand before God and others to declare our faithfulness to God in confidence and love.
Cameron, Peter John, Rev., ed. “Mini-Reflection.” MAGNIFICAT. 22 March 2011. 304. Print.
Image from: http://drtimwhite.com/humility-is-key-to-the-unity-of-a-church/
Adapted from a reflection written on March 22, 2011.
The Noontimes 
“A PERSON WITH THE SPIRIT WILL MAKE JUDGEMENTS ON ALL MATTERS.”….WE ARE COMMANDED TO JUDGE THE SPIRIT OF OTHERS. NOT THE LOOK. BE BLESSED. JOHN
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God’s economy is far too complex for us to comprehend and God asks that we turn the other cheek, walk the extra mile, give the spare tunic, forgive generously. We are well advised to look out for false teachers, false prophets and false spirits . . . just as we are advised to love as God loves . . . with unending, healing, boundless love for all. Thanks so much for stopping by to remind us of this.
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