Stop Judging, Why?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Seventh Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Lk 6:27-38*

*First Reading :1 Sm 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13*

*Second Reading - 1 Cor 15:45-49*

*Stop Judging, Why?*

The call to stop judging others is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing humility, mercy, and self-awareness.

Let's try to understand some reasons behind this truth

*1) Jesus' Direct Command*

In Matthew 7:1-5 Jesus says *Do not judge*

Jesus warns against judgment because it invites God's scrutiny upon ourselves. 

Instead of focusing on others' faults, He urges self-examination to see our own weakn

Jesus says removing the *plank* from our own eye before noticing the *speck* in another's eye is very important 

*2) God is the Only Just Judge*

 In, James 4:12 we read *There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?*

This verse reminds us that ultimate judgment belongs to God. 

Human judgment is often flawed by bias and limited understanding, whereas God sees the heart.

*3) Court Takes years to Pass a judgement on something*

When some case is filed in the court, it follows a particular procedure

The court will enquire with many witnesses to find out the truth about the reality 

It will try to examine all the possibilities to know the real truth of the issue, before it passes the judgment

Some time this process may take years together and finally it will give some judgement

If court takes such a long procedure, to pass a judgement, how can we solely pass judgment on someone within no time 

So there is always a problem in knowing reality. So how can we pronounce judgment on some one or something

*4) The Danger of Hypocrisy*

In Romans 2:1-3 Paul says 

*You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things*

Paul warns that judging others while committing similar sins makes us guilty before God. 

Instead of condemning, we should lead with humility and repentance.

*5) Mercy Over Judgment*

James in 2:13 says, A judgmental spirit lacks mercy, while God calls us to be people of compassion, knowing that we too depend on His grace.

Judging makes us go away from the mercy of God 

*6)  The Example of Christ*

In John 8:3-11 we see when the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus, expecting Him to judge her harshly, He instead said:

*Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her* (John 8:7)

Jesus did not condone sin but showed mercy, redirecting the focus toward personal repentance rather than condemnation.

Judging others does not change anything in life. But judging one self will help a person to change his/her life completely

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*