Reflection - Judgment

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062518.cfm
2 Kings 17:5-8, 13-15, 18
Matthew 7:1-5

The image that Jesus sketches for his audience in the gospel is ludicrous when you stop and think about it. A speck of grit in the eye is usually painful — but a splinter? Then, of course, there’s that beam — a two by four is probably smaller than the board Jesus is talking about. A splinter in the eye would definitely make it quite difficult to see. A beam in the eye would make it impossible. It’s amazing that the one with the splinter can even see the beam, and absolutely astounding that the one with the beam can see the speck. But what is more preposterous than either of these — even sufficiently senseless to deserve scornful laughter — is the proposition that we are capable of judging the quality of the association that another person has with our Father. So, commenting on, criticizing, critiquing, another’s inner religious disposition is a case of the deaf evaluating a symphony, of the blind appraising a Van Gogh, of the uneducated assessing Faulkner’s novels. Besides, it is not our business anyway.

"GI the LORD search the mind and test the heart, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings."

(Jeremiah 17:10)

On the other hand, I suppose we really don’t have to worry about this anyway. Even in the latter part of the first century, it was considered a waste of time to judge another’s religious disposition. Rabbi Tarfon, who lived in that time period, said: “I wonder whether there is anyone in this generation who accepts reproof, for if one [is to] say to him: ‘Remove the mote from between your eyes,’ he would answer, ‘Remove the beam from between your eyes.’” True then, and probably more true today. So, let us look at this teaching a bit differently. Judging takes on an entirely new character when it is requested.

Both my wife and I are occasionally unable to find something in our home. Age has nothing to do with it.

Sometimes you just forget: “Where did I leave my coffee cup?”

Sometimes we’re just not clear on what we’re looking for: “The cumin is in the small round spice bottle? Right?”

Sometimes we do one thing while being pre-occupied with another: “Did I feed the dog?”

Sometimes we just keep looking past the obvious: “I’ve searched every closet and I can’t find my down jacket. Have you seen it?”

The solution may not be obvious to you, but it is to us. You ask your spouse for assistance. Hey! I can’t seem to spot my “whatever.” Will you come look and see if you can find it?

Jesus judges that our readiness to judge what is not ours to judge is a personal failure worthy of a judgment that must be avoided. But, if I know myself. If I know that I have something in my eye — a speck, a splinter or a beam — then common sense would dictate that I seek out someone who might be able to remove it. That’s what Christian brotherhood would do for us. It gives us the opportunity to seek out assistance as we move forward on our journey

Let others show us what we cannot see, to let others speak for us the words the Spirit would have us hear, to let others manifest God’s presence in the circumstances of our lives. Those in this group generally do not judge. But I’m betting they are pretty good at helping to remember what has been forgotten, helping to clarify what has become muddled, at helping to confirm the path that has been taken, helping to reveal the hidden which is obvious and the obvious which is hidden.

You may think it is a case of the blind leading the blind. You may think it is a case of the deaf proclaiming the Word. You may think it is a case of the uneducated expounding wisdom. But none of these will be the case if hearts are open and the Spirit has his say. Remember what St Paul says: “It is when I am weak that i am strong.”