Judge not even Yourself

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Friday, 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Year II, September 4th, 2020

Texts: 1Cor. 4:1-5; Ps. 37:3-6.27-28.39-40; Luke 5:33-39

St. Paul reminds us today not to judge, not even ourselves. There are many events in our lives that we cannot fully comprehend; we are mystery to ourselves. If we could not fully understand ourselves, is it another person are we going to understand? 

Paul asks us not to judge because a lot of things are hidden from us and we cannot also discern the purposes of the heart. In our own case, we can lay claim to the knowledge of the purposes of our hearts, but the causes of our actions are more than the intentions of our hearts. These other causes are the hidden ones; the hidden causes could be psychological, emotional, spiritual, etc. The judgement of ourselves could still be wrong because of the unknown causes. We are not to judge ourselves, we should not be hard on ourselves. Some people have attempted suicide because of the judgement they have passed on themselves. Let us follow the advice of Paul, "Therefore do not pronounce judgement before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in the darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart". 

The gospel reading affirms that there are more to man's actions than the eyes can meet.  The practices of Jesus Christ with his disciples seem to deviate from what the people were used to. Hence, the Pharisees and the scribes questioned Jesus thus: "The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and do so the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink". The answer Jesus gave to them shows that there were a lot hidden from them. Jesus gave the answer that shows that he is God himself, and that time is not ripe for his disciples to fast.

God our Father, give us grace to always leave judgement for you. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke