June 20, 2011
Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Abram went as the LORD directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. Genesis 12:4
"Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?" Matthew 7:1-3
Piety
Father, in your spirit of mercy, take away all the judgments that divide us. Jesus, instill in us your spirit of obedience. Holy Spirit, command our hearts and our lives in a way that is worthy of the love, gifts and mercy showered on us by the Father.
Study
Jesus probably knows how futile it is to ask us to stop judging others. Instead, he warns us about the attitude we should have when we look at the actions of others. don't stop reading the first verse of this chapter. Make sure you let that second verse resonate.
"As you judge, so will you be judged."
Then how should we judge? What attitude or disposition must we adopt to not face harsh judgment ourselves?
Perhaps we should connect another phrase from another talk delivered by the Lord. "Be merciful as you Father is merciful." Don't judge others by the standard of Judge Judy. Instead, make sure you act out of a spirit of mercy not arrogance as God the Father is merciful. He showers us with great gifts instead of what we truly deserve.
Those whom we remember best from the Bible are those who were either very good at being merciful and obedient to God (Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Abraham and on and on) or those who were very imperfect at mercy and obedience (Cain, Judas, etc.). Our other lesson today is the lesson of obedience from Genesis. When he was told to uproot his family, his belongings and leave the place that was closest to his heart and life, Abraham did not question what he was being commanded nor where he was being asked to go. He just went as the Lord directed him.
Action
How hard we find mercy and obedience. Maybe today you can build a bridge back to someone you have lost touch with over the years. You might be surprised to find out how much you might still have in common after all these years.
