I say the message was “fitting” because if you listen to news outlets, read comments on social media, listen to conversations around you, especially in light of the recent national election, you will hear a great deal of judgmental pronouncements, pronouncements that are continuing to cause grave divisions and fears in our society.
There are judgmental statements around the topics where our country may be led by its new/returning leaders, immigration issues, ongoing topics of race, sexuality, culture, religious preferences, wealth or lack thereof…
Where does such judgmentalism come from? For the most part, it comes from an innate fear of anything or anyone that is different than “I,” or life taking a turn that seems counter-productive. When someone or something different is encountered, it calls into question and challenges one’s own sense of security, whether physically, emotionally, spiritually, politically, socially.
Most don’t like to be challenged, or to entertain the notion that someone else may have a better idea or way of doing things. This is true because they do not want to acknowledge they themselves just might be wrong.
What does our Lord say about this? “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?”
None of us is perfect. Each of us is different than everyone else to one degree or another. We all have our flaws.
So why not break the judgmental cycle? If you find yourself in the throes of being judgmental about others, why not stop to look at yourself first. Are you perfect? Are you always correct? Umm… nope!
Will you allow yourself to learn from someone who has a different point of view on politics, race, culture, or…? Your mind may not be changed, but because of your conversation, you will learn the other person is a human being, a child of God, who simply thinks differently.
If you see a matter going in a harmful, hurtful direction, speak up and say something. But do it with the best of intentions at heart. And this means being discerning, not judgmental. It is important to remember that every person with whom you come in contact is a child of God – just as you are.
