Monday of 2nd Lent
St. Clement Church Parish Mission
February 25, 2013
POINTING THE FINGER +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
So easy to point a finger at someone and utter a
judgment
Ø
Look at her and the way she dresses!
Ø
Look at that poor child; what kind of parents
must he have!
Ø
You’ll never see them in church and they have a
son who’s a priest!
WHY WE DON’T JUDGE ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
How easy to point a finger. We all do, myself
included
Ø
And to each of us Jesus is “Stop judging”
Ø
Why such a strong admonition – it’s in all four
gospels – and why so difficult to comply?
1.
Judging others is wrong because it is God’s
prerogative to blame, condemn, and execute punishment for wrongdoing, not ours
2.
Secondly, when we judge others we project
our own guilt. It’s the old adage: “When you point a finger, three of them are
pointing to the real problem”
Both judgment and guilt seem to foster the same tendencies in us; yes the
very thing we oppose becomes our own inclination
3.
Finally only God know the motivations,
circumstances, and causes of the other’s wrongdoing
BUT WHAT TO DO? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
But what do we do when we observe wrongdoing?
Ø
It is not our obligation to care, to discern
what’s wrong, and to take action? Yes, if we do so with mercy and forgiveness
Ø
This is very difficult to do, but Jesus promised
the Spirit to help us know when, how, and if we are to speak
Ø
One thing is sure. Before we are quick to speak
words of judgment, we would do well to start with ourselves, to silence our
critical minds and offer our lives to God, who has promised to be a merciful,
kind, and loving judge
Ø
When our mind is at rest in God, we find that we
no longer blame others
Ø
Scorn or slander doesn’t even come to our minds
A GREAT LENTEN
PRACTICE +++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
This is difficult
Ø
But only as we learn to withhold judgment and
forgive others – only then can we kneel before God and experience the
refreshing relief of God’s forgiveness
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
