Reflection for Monday, June 26, 2006: 12th week in Ordinary Time.
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Furlong, Beth
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2006-06-26
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en_US
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The Gospel Reading of today has been increasingly problematic and challenging for me.|"Stop judging, that you may not be judged. |For as you judge, so will you be judged, |and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. |Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, |but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? |How can you say to your brother, |'Let me remove that splinter from your eye,' |While the wooden beam is in your eye? |You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; |Then you will see clearly |to remove the splinter from your brother's eye."|I think we all know the easy interpretation of the first three lines, i.e., not to engage in unnecessary negative moralistic judging of others' lives. Christ tells us there is a self-interest incentive in not judging _ because we will be judged with the same scrutiny as we have judged others. And, I think we all know the easy interpretation of the last eight lines, i.e., that each of us has many limitations and behaviors we need to change and that we need to "remove our wooden beams before noticing the other's splinter." However, I struggle with the tension between a Gospel call not to judge _ and, other Gospel calls to Social Justice. I think it might be na and iuml;ve not to judge at all (using a 21st century interpretation of the word - judge.) |The first three lines _ how can one live and not be judgmental? In the 21st century world of Omaha (and everywhere else), one needs to be judgmental in critical-thinking, decision-making, furthering Social Justice, etc. We have law systems (with judges) to judge. We have Christ's example in the Temple with the moneychangers, with many of his teachings with the Pharisees, with his healing on the Sabbath, etc. _he mentored making judgments about situations and doing something about them. My difficulty is with the interpretation of the word: judge. I wish I had a better understanding of the early use of the word when the Gospel was written. |I had an experience this past week which relates to this Gospel Reading. I attended a public forum on immigration _ with sharply divided views presented. I am supportive of policies that support the dignity of the immigrant. Am I to be passive and not respond with judgment on this issue? I don't think so. |I struggle with this Gospel Reading. We know not to do unnecessary moralizing and "judging" of others _ because we never have the full context of their lives and know their situations. We know to spend our energy on changing our behaviors versus finding fault with others' behaviors. But, I struggle with the tension between not judging _ and, furthering Social Justice.
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University Ministry, Creighton University.
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These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.
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Lectionary Number: 371