Thoughts for the Day

‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I have had the privilege of knowing two people in my life who do not appear to judge others. Neither ever said negative things about other people. Obviously I couldn't tell if they were never critical of others, but from their conversation they always had a positive suggestion to make when any criticism occurred. They also had the effect of making me feel downright nasty for my negative thoughts and comments.

Jesus doesn't mean we shouldn't judge others, but that our judgement should be fair and just. To criticise a whole nation for the sins of a minority, is not fair; to criticise an obese man or woman for their weight, when it may be caused by a medical condition, is not fair; and to criticise people for their faults, but never praise them for their strengths, is not fair.

Jesus says that God will judge us by the same measure we judge others! So how do we escape this judgement upon us? Well it's quite simple really - though of course it's hard to do! Every time we have a negative thought about someone else, or about a group of people, or even a nation, then think of something positive to say about them. See if you can keep going all through Lent. If it goes wrong, say sorry to God, and start again.

Lord God,
Almighty Judge,
we ask Your forgiveness
for the times we have criticised others -
in our heads and out loud;
the times we have gossipped
about other people;
and the times we have made judgements
without knowing the facts.
May we learn to be fair and just
in all our judgements
for we know that we incur
Your justice upon ourselves.
Amen.