Scripture:
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you
will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.
Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke: 6:36,37
Reflection:
It is so easy to make judgments about people without knowing all the
facts. Oh, we need to judge the right from wrong, good behaviors from
bad behaviors, sinful actions from those that are not, and whether
words are damaging or constructive, etc. If we don't make those kind
of "judgments" we might end up approving what God
disapproves and then doing those very things ourselves. Those things
we judge, but only God is the Judge of people. Of course, I'm not
talking about civil judgments, which are necessary for society to run
run smoothly and to keep its citizens safe. I'm talking about judging
people whether or not we have all the facts, that's God's job. He
does have all the facts. When we judge people it puts up a wall that
prevents us from loving them as Christ commands us to do. Instead, we
are to be merciful, just as the Father is merciful. Always let mercy
triumph over judgment.
Prayer:
Lord, may we never seek to justify ourselves by judging others. The
world desperately needs to see your mercy. If we, your children,
don't reveal it, we conceal it. Forgive us, Lord, for failing to
love and serve those you have put in our paths while we were too busy
judging them. Have mercy on us; may we have mercy on others. Root out
any tendency we might have to be critical or judgmental. In its place
sow seeds of forgiveness, understanding and mercy. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment