Judgment: Do Not Pronounce It

Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. ² Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. ³ But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. ⁴ I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. ⁵ Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.- 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 NRSV

Judgment Is For God

The reading from today’s Mass are powerful.  However I have selected today’s first reading for a couple reasons.  To pronounce judgment on someone is something that we do without even thinking about it.  In interactions on social media judgment is pronounced on people without any remorse.

To be clear I am not talking about righteous judgment in which we stand up for the truth.  There seems to be a trend of condemning if someone does not share your belief in something.  If one does not share the same political ideology, Mass preference, or views on the pandemic then the gloves come off.  Don’t believe me?  Then take one look at your social media account.

The Life Of Saint Paul And Judgment

I think we can all agree that Saint Paul is  a hero of the faith.  There are thirteen New Testament books that are written by him.  He was an evangelist in every sense of the word.  Surely if someone can say where they were going to go when they passed away it would be him.

However he does not do that.  He didn’t even pass judgment on himself.  He goes on to say that it is the Lord who judges the eternal home of the person.

Application

This year has been rough and there is a lot of stress that everyone is under.  We have been quick to react with emotion with some things, such as politics, that is has clouded our logic.  In the heat of debate many have pronounced judgment such as “go to hell”.

Some may use this as a figure of speech, but in reality it is a big deal.  In saying this we are cursing someone to hell.  Think about that.  We need to be more careful.  The post you are responding to was posted by a person.  We tend to overlook that in the digital age.

Take a deep breath.  Read what you type before you post.  Pray for those you disagree with, and love your enemies as Jesus said.  Pray for their salvation…not their damnation.

Quotes

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.-St. Mother Teresa

In judging of others, a man laboreth in vain, often erreth and easily sinneth; but in judging and examining himself, he always laboreth fruitfully.-Thomas Kempis

He that well and rightly considereth his own works will find little cause to judge hardly of another.-Thomas Kempis

If we are on the watch to see our own faults, we shall not see those of our neighbor…To die to one’s neighbor is this: To bear your own faults and not to pay attention to anyone else wondering whether they are good or bad. Do no harm to anyone, do not think anything bad in your heart towards anyone, do not scorn the man who does evil…Do not rail against anyone, but rather say, ‘God knows each one.’ Do not agree with him who slanders, do not rejoice at his slander, and do not hate him who slanders his neighbor.-St. Moses