Father, you have given all peoples one common origin. It is your will that they be gathered together as one family in yourself. Fill the hearts of mankind with the fire of your love and with the desire to ensure justice for all. By sharing the good things you give us, may we secure an equality for all our brothers and sisters throughout the world. May there be an end to division, strife and war. May there be a dawning of a truly human society
built on love and peace. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord Amen by catholic.org
I said to myself, "God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man," for a time for every matter and for every deed is there.” Ecclesiastes 3:17
“What goes around, comes around” is a popular saying that I’m sure we’ve all heard a time or to. Either in reference to our own behavior, or a reassuring sentiment parroted back to us when we have been wronged by another. We’ve all been there, in that dark hour where a person we’ve loved or deeply cared about has done something abhorrent. The fall out is almost worse than the actual behavior of being betrayed. While seething in pain and anger, we begin to plot. We begin to plot our revenge.
How can we get back at this person and make them feel the same pain that we are feeling now?Perhaps I’m the only one that has done this, but I highly doubt it. In this passage from Ecclesiastes though, we are reminded to basically mind our own business, pick of the pieces, and let God take care of the repercussions. As difficult as that may be to do, I can take comfort in knowing that God’s disapproving look will always be way more harsh than anything I could ever dream up.
I have a lot of friends that are non-Catholic. For whatever reason, they feel as though I may condemn some of their actions. “Oh, but I know you wouldn’t approve of this.” Well, my response is typically, “It’s not my job to judge.” I can certainly provide guidance, or support, but judgement really shouldn’t enter into our relationship. This same mentality can be applied to someone that has deeply hurt us. We can pick up the pieces, forgive, and guard our hearts from that person going forward. But we need to remind ourselves that God is always, always in control.
This same mentality can be filtered down to a more overarching life outlook as well. When we see others living a lifestyle or making consistent choices that do not align with God’s word, it’s simply not our place to judge. We are put on this earth to love each other, not to tear each other down.
With all of this said, it is EXTREMELY difficult to not pass judgments. Facebook is a good example where judgements can take place. Positive or negative. Her life seems so perfect, why doesn’t mine look like that? Or, Person A can’t seem to stay in a relationship longer than 6 months and Person B seems to always be out at the bar. Whew, that’s a lot of judgement coming out.
I think the best way for us reel that in, is to simply stop ourselves and ask, “Who am I to judge?” Or better yet,
“Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7
Let’s look at ourselves first. Let’s begin to examine our actions and thoughts as Christ would. Let’s drop the judgement of others and let our true selves shine through our actions, words and thoughts.
To Jesus through Mary-Ashley Likes
