[ Today's Readings ]
Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
If we are honest this is harder than it sounds. To not judge, to not condemn, and to forgive are not easy for us. We manage to put on a good face and act as if we do not judge and condemn. We act as if we have forgiven others. But have our hearts changed? The thoughts we think may be beyond our control, but what about our dispositions? What about those thoughts we encourage and dwell on and those we shun and ignore? When we are motivated out of pride and vainglory it is difficult not to be judgmental toward those who don't measure up. This can be a secret satisfaction we take in being better than them. It can be as simple as the comfort we take, when we ourselves don't measure up, in knowing that at least we have it more together than so and so. We must put all of this selfishness behind us. But how?
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
Let's shift the focus outward. It's hard to merely reconfigure our inner life and wind up anything but selfish. Instead, in small ways, let us begin to give of ourselves, especially at times when we find ourselves judging or clinging to unforgiveness. At such times especially, the LORD is rich in mercy.
O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers,
for having sinned against you.
But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness!
The LORD is willing to show us mercy first so that we can in turn give it to others. He is willing to transform us and give us new hearts which do not judge or condemn but which readily forgive those who wrong us.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name's sake.
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