Judgment

Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. -Romans 14:10

I have plenty of opinions - just like we all do. Some of them are very well reasoned and based in experience, and some come from the gut in the moment. Some opinions are about harmless things, like what the best kind of pie is (Strawberry rhubarb.) Some are about more controversial things, like who should or should not hold a political office (no comment.) And some of my opinions are closer to home - opinions about the choices my acquaintances, friends or loved one make. I have no shortage of opinions, and I know you don’t either, because that’s what we human beings are like.

But as one grows up, one learns when to keep ones opinions to oneself. My mother (and maybe yours, too) used to tell me that if I couldn’t say something nice I shouldn’t say anything at all. Now, I could go into the ‘tyranny of nice’ that is inflicted upon little girls growing up, but I have a different point to make in this blog. My point today is that I wish more people in public life remembered what their mothers told them and learned to keep some of their more damaging opinions to themselves. As my mother also used to say, “God gave you two ears and only one mouth. Listen at least twice as much as you speak.”

Don’t get me wrong - there are certainly times to speak out - to speak truth to power and bravely name injustices, even when what we have to say would not considered ‘nice.’ As followers of Jesus, we are taught that speaking truth to power is both faithful and important. But not every opinion we hold is a justice issue. Most often our opinions just express a personal preference. And not every personal opinion, when shared, builds up. Worse, some ‘opinions’ promote hatred, or assign shame and blame on certain individuals and groups. I’ve seen more and more judgment disguised as opinions being thrown around publicly lately, especially by those who have the platform and the power to influence others.

Paul said to the Romans that we all will stand before the judgement seat of God. Clearly, judging others is above my pay grade - only God can work through our profound brokenness to bring healing and reconciliation in God’s good time. What I can do, however, is to strive to love - even my enemies. I can try not to get in the way of God’s healing and reconciliation with my own opinions and resentments. As much as I like to think that I know best, the world will not be changed by my judgements and criticisms. But the world can be transformed, even if only a tiny bit in one tiny moment, by my love - or more accurately - by God’s love being shared through me.

So I’m going to re-frame my mother’s old advice and say: If you can’t say anything loving, say nothing - until you are called to speak the truth in love.

For those who Influence Public Opinion

Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many
voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where
many listen and write what many read; that they may do their
part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and
its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In which ways do you have influence over other’s opinions? (we all have some) How do you use that power?

Our readings for this week are HERE. Ordinary time offers many readings to contemplate each Sunday. Track 1 will lead you through certain Old Testament books week by week more in depth. Track 2 provides an Old Testament text that is meant to compliment the Gospel of the week.