Gospel Reflexion by Fr Michael Chua - 22 June 2020

22 06 2020Gospel of 22 June 2020
Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Matthew 7:1-5
Do not judge, and you will not be judged

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged; because the judgements you give are the judgements you will get, and the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given. Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own? How dare you say to your brother, “Let me take the splinter out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.’

Reflexion

Today, our Lord deals with the very real and painful reality of judging others in our community. Relationships often turn sour when people turn against one another with a critical and unmerciful spirit. Here our Lord is inviting us to rise above the destructive behaviour with humility and charity.

Our Lord is not speaking against all forms of judgment. It is not wrong to judge whether an action is sinful according to the law of God. This form of moral evaluation is simply an exercise of the Christian conscience. Our Lord, however, forbids us to judge and condemn the heart. No one has access to the hidden intentions which motivate the actions of another. We can judge someone’s external actions but only God alone can see what lies hidden in our hearts.

The passage does not just stipulate who gets to judge but also the standard by which we should judge: “the judgements you give are the judgements you will get, and the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given.” To paraphrase the words of Jesus, “if you want to dish out, be ready to take it.” So our Lord was not condemning all forms of judgments but the application of double standards in making judgments. We apply one standard for others and another for ourselves. We often end up excusing ourselves for the same faults we find in others.

The famous metaphorical comparison between the splinter and the plank is a wonderful example of Christ bluntly calling out the hypocrisy in all of us. Jesus’ advice is both beautiful and eminently practical. It has three major components: first, judgments can and will turn against judgers. Second, it is plain hypocrisy to see the small flaws in others but not recognise our own major ones.

And, lastly, we should honestly examine ourselves and make amends to our own lives before we attempt to help others improve theirs. “Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.”

That is why it is incumbent on all of us to examine ourselves daily. The man who can only find fault with others but overlooks his own shortcomings is indeed not in a position to judge anyone nor help anyone. We must first look to ourselves and be willing to deal with our own problems by confession and repentance. Then we will see clearly enough to help others.