Jun 25 - Monday 12th Week in OT

+ Today we have a very brief but poignant gospel passage. In it Jesus tells us not to judge others. This kind of ruffles us on many different levels and the root idea that Jesus is trying to get across needs to be unpacked, if you will.

Jesus is not saying that, for example, parents can’t “judge” “evaluate” “monitor” the activities of their children in order to steer them in positive growth directions. Jesus is not saying that citizens of the state, who are also citizens of heaven – if they are baptized – cannot observe, assess, and make positive contributions to move elected politician to enact and enforce laws and guidelines, and implementations that are not founded first of all in truth, and charity – the loving thing to do. Jesus is not saying that we cannot “judge” a person who is setting fire to not only physical buildings and institutions, but also invisible institutions like the principles of foundation of our nation as one who has a deep moral conscience, respects rights and dignities of all persons, and who welcomes the stranger as we were welcomed here ourselves.

What Jesus is saying is that make sure that your vision and sense receptors are clear, clean, precise and accurate by using “spiritual Visine” on them – getting rid of all impediments to right vision, both external and internal – but then for God’s sake – make the moral judgments and appropriate initiatives to help others avoid dangers, grave and small.

What Jesus is saying is let your willingness to give critique and a call to action be based on self-less, unbiased appraisal and then the courage to act and speak based on the conditions and the amount of restraint that is advisable to make things better and not worse.

What Jesus is saying is : LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED, and STILL DO LOVE YOU.

Let us never forget that when Jesus arrived on the scene we were all, every man, woman and child enemies of God the Father and enemies of himself – being descendant of mortally wounding sinning Adam and Eve. And even though he himself restored the friendship of God to us, until we breathe our last, we are still members of that earthbound family, and we can jeopardize of eternal placement, by either sinning again, by doing what is uncharitable, or avoiding to do something charitable when it is called for.

What is a practical application: to judge that the base core of our national government is way off the track in many respects, especially in its grossly unjust, uncharitable, and inhumane way it regards and now continues to treat children, who do have a legal right as asylum seekers to be here in this country – when they legally or illegally cross our borders. And then do do all we can and are able personally to help the situation.

Jesus has said very plainly, clearly, and LOUDLY – I AM the CHILDREN of the world! The way you TREAT THEM is the way you TREAT ME! This thought should make a great many people very afraid. Let’s pray it does, and that it leads to a change of heart, and course of action.

Amen.