Judge Not (Monday, Lent 5)

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When the Bible says “Don’t judge and you will not be judged”, what does it mean? But first, what is judgment? To judge is to form an opinion about someone or a situation; to pass sentence on; to criticize, condemn or label. When Jesus says, “Don’t judge”, does it mean that we shouldn’t form opinions about situations or assess situations?


By that statement, I think what Jesus is referring to is CONDEMNATION or RASH JUDGMENT. Of course, we can form opinions. But opinions are opinions; they are not facts. We can’t judge and pass a sentence on someone: first, because we don’t have all the facts; secondly, because we are also weak and limited: our emotions, sentiments of hatred and prejudice can influence our judgments; in simple terms, often we judge according to the flesh. And that is why Jesus said to the Pharisees: YOU JUDGE ACCORDING TO THE FLESH; I JUDGE NO ONE (Jn. 8:15).


In Dan. 13:1-9.15-17.19-30.33-62, the two elders who brought false accusations against Susanna acted according to the flesh. Because Susanna didn’t yield to their adulterous demands, they laid false accusations on her and condemned her. But God, who knows all the facts, set her free through the intervention of Daniel. In Jn. 8:1-11, the scribes and Pharisees condemned the woman caught in adultery and were poised to stone her to death. But Jesus, who knows all the facts, set her free.


We are too quick to carry stones, condemn, write off and spread damaging rumors about others. We are weak, limited and sinful; but we are ever ready to “stone” others for sinning differently. Most judgments end up as rash judgments because as human as we are, we are limited and may not have all the facts. If we learn to temper justice with mercy, many a soul will be saved. Let’s have more of listening ears than judging mouths. As much as we want to to form opinions about people's actions, let’s listen first and be more sympathetic; we may not have got all the facts.


Prayer:

Lord, help me restrain my tongue when I feel the urge to condemn. May I be more patient and sympathetic and desist from being judgmental, Amen!


Have a fruitful Lenten journey!



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