Matthew 7 says, judge not, lest ye be judged.

But this does not mean, walking through life ignorant or naïve. It is a caution about being unfair in our judgements. We are called to discern between right and wrong; between good and bad. But if we judge those we like as good, and those we don’t, as bad. Then we lay ourselves open to being judged simply on whether we are liked. This is fine enough for those who seek only to please, but what about those who are unpopular, but still righteous? What does this judgement say about John the Baptist? What does it say about Jesus? Both of whom were not universally admired.

This passage goes on to highlight the hypocrisy of demanding others to be perfect when there is plenty of improvement to be made in ourselves. So, what are we to do? We are not to judge; how can we examine our actions alongside the actions of others? Well, our options seem to be, judging perfectly, which we are not going to be able to do. Or, to discern rather than judge.

To Discern is to seek to understand. In discernment, there is no judgement. Discernment does not mean to agree, but simply to seek to
understand. In discernment we must be open to the reality that we are not always correct and cannot so simply dismiss others as automatically wrong because of some factors. Our brother with a speck in his eye then might turn us to reflect on how bad it is to have something in one’s eye and realize our need might be greater. So, instead of claiming the privilege of curing our brother of his speck, asking our brother for help with our log.

Or to put it in more concrete terms, after seeing the prejudice and hatred expressed by others, may we be aware of the hatred and prejudice that we bear toward them and work to be freed of that as we act to serve the least amongst us.

A little heavier of a reflection this month, but it is important to remember that we do not control others. We cannot make others love, we cannot make others serve, but we can control if we are going to join them in hatred or persevere in love.