Monday, June 23, 2003
12th Week in Ordinary Time

1st Reading: Gen 12:1-9 (Listen to MP3 - Vocation of Abraham)
Gospel: Mt 7:1-5 (Listen to MP3 - Several Warnings - Mt 7:1-12)

Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not judge and you will not be judged. In the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and the measure you use for others will be used for you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye and not see the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother: 'Come, let me take the speck from your eye,' as long as that plank is in your own? Hypocrite, take first the plank out of your own eye, then you will see clear enough to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

Commentary

How often do we complain about being misunderstood and misjudged! Yet our own prejudices and biases easily lead us to offensive and slanderous judgments. No one really knows what goes on in the minds and hearts of other people that make them do what they do. Upbringing, education, social and cultural background, circumstances in life, and a host of other unknown factors influence a person's choices and decisions. And they are different for each one of us. Jesus asks us to remember this before we make any judgment of others. Doing so will make us more understanding and cautious, sympathetic and kind. He takes us further: are our own motivations pure? Do we deal justly with others? Are we instruments of justice, peace and love?

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