Judge not, that you be not judged

 

the measure you give will be the measure you get.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Monday of 12th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, June 26th, 2023
Texts: Genesis 12: 1-9; Psalm 33:12-13.18-20.22; Matthew 7: 1-5 

Today, Jesus reveals to us that when we judge others, we also pass judgment on ourselves. He puts it thus: “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” If we are unfair in our judgement, we will also receive unfair judgement. Humans as we are, we are blind to so many things that we are often unfair in our judgement. This is because we are filthy. He says, “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” 

Jesus asks us to look into ourselves first before judging others. If we judge ourselves first, we will be lenient in judging others. The same judgement we give ourselves, we will give to others. Jesus asks us to purify ourselves first, that we may understand others and correct them.  He says, “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” When we make ourselves better it is then we will be able to correct others rather than judging them. For we will know what to do to be become better. 

Abram conquered himself by letting go his worldly ties for God

In today’s first reading, Abram left his family to focus on his relationship with God. Focusing on self-growth, Abram became great and a blessing to the world. God said to him, “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who curses you will I curse; and by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves.” We need to conquer ourselves first to conquer the world. Abram conquered himself by letting go his worldly ties for God. 

Abram purified himself by listening to God and following His instructions. We read “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him”. Our focus in life should not be judging our neighbours but listening and following God’s instructions.  

Prayer  

God almighty, give us faith that can make us abandon worldly glory for God’s glory, just as our father Abram did; keep us always in your loving care; may we love You above all things. Amen 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke