https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062623.cfm
Judging is Like Little Splinters.
I remember our DRE and music director, Fred, telling me he picked up something with splinters working in the yard. There were small ones he couldn’t get out, and the doctor told him they had to work themselves out.
Judging others is like those little splinters that must work themselves out. Our judgmental thoughts are irritations in our minds and hearts. Yet, we don’t see it as an irritation, probably because we know we are right and they are wrong, at least in our minds.
We see someone and easily judge their appearance and base our thoughts and feelings for them on a shallow assumption. More than likely, we don’t know their intention, their story, and what motivates their words and behavior. We judge their morality, politics, and other choices. Amazing how we know it all.
Jesus tells us in the gospel today that we will be judged as we judge others. There will be little room for empathy in our hearts for anyone, even ourselves. When that happens, we condemn ourselves. We become more self-centered, distancing ourselves from people, even the ones we love the most.
Acknowledge the wooden beam in our own eyes and how we see people. Repentance and belief in the empathy that Jesus has for us create room in our minds and hearts to understand and accept anyone, especially people different from us. How could we be so silly to put stuff before the presence of Christ Jesus in someone?
Gospel Challenge:
The goodness and kindness of Christ in us are like the blue sky. It is always there waiting for Jesus to remove the cloud of judging. Any beam becomes a splinter when we ask Jesus to help. He can even get the smallest splinters we cannot reach. Then, the irritation in us will be gone. It’s the way enemies become friends.
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
