Monday, March 30, 2020 – Judge Not!

I always imagined myself as that woman who stood in the midst … the history of adultery … the overwhelming sadness of having been caught in the act and being stoned by the “respected ones”… envying those people for their perfect lives … wishing I could curb my desires and wrong doings and just turn a new leaf!!!!
This is me every lenten season, when I relive all my sins from the past 31 years of my life and realise its the same pattern on repeat!!! The similar sinfulness and remorse after I made the error … the rushing to the Lord for his everlasting mercy through sacrament of confession and then redoing the same cycle all over again.  

Somedays I wish I could just grow up different and a lot more perfect than I am. A lot more following the rules, and of course mostly avoiding the judgemental looks and opinions I always endure. I looked at women around me and wondered how could they be so perfect . why couldn’t I be like them?

But as I realised that my faith is alot more than instagram like filters and a lifestyle of prayer and piety. I wasn’t the perfect child of God and probably will never will be, but deep down I knew I am called to strive to be his kid … a better version!!

As the world is just talking about the corona virus, and its effects and human deaths, I think we should notice the amount of  improvement the world environment has been through. The pollution has improved and the animals and birds are happier! So maybe this pandemic of temptations plaguing me in lent will help me improve my faith and clear up my soul and not just make me follow routine and be a Sunday catholic like before.

This lent as we are all under self isolation and national lockdown let us appreciate every person around us who has helped with family and friends! People who remembered me after years with a kind word and appreciation for my job! I have risen beyond my faith in the rituals, to more of putting my trust in the Lord. I walk to work every day with a mask across my face hoping to help a woman in distress and safeguard myself too.

Let us not be the ones trying to stone others, but work towards figuring out why we should not judge anyone on the job they do, or the education they have! Let us move past all the worldly decisions and realise that there is a human behind every sin and misdeed and we have no right to judge!


PRAYER: Father in heaven, I come forth to you with my sinful heart this lent and ask you to bless me with your love and graces! Help me to do my personal best with managing the pandemic outbreak and appreciate the good things in life!!! Bless me Lord and my family with good health! Amen.

About the Author

Hello! I’m Dr Analise Maria D’ Mello, (MBBS, MS obgyn, DNB) from the beautiful state of Goa in India. I was born and raised in a Roman Catholic family, learning my prayers, catechism and Catholic values from my parents and grandmothers. I am currently practicing as an obstetrician and gynecologist for 3 years since my residency. I often speak on anti-abortion to college students and married couples, and counsel distressed pregnant women with appropriate medical advice. I am part of the St Luke's Medical Guild of Catholic Doctors in my state providing services in prisons, and Lenten and advent retreats for medical professionals and their families.

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12 Comments

  3. When we reach for a stone let us think as Christians should…and walk away. Thank you Dr for all you good work in the hospital and here with us at the Catholic Moment. Good health to you and all.

  4. Thank you for a very beautiful, open, and honest reflection about yourself and, really, about all of us. May he bless your honesty and openess and in so doing bless you.

  5. Thanks Analise, Such a bad thing (Pandemic) has brought us closer together by separating us. Thank be to our GOD.

  6. Thank you, dear Lord, for forgiving our iniquities over and over and over again. Thanks, Analise, for a beautiful reflection. Stay safe and blessed during these trying times all over the world. God is still in control.

  7. The birds songs continue and seem even louder. It does seem they are happy we notice them and creation more now.

    I love your line: there is a human behind every sin. Sometimes it’s easier to focus on the sin and let it block our view of the sacredness of each person.

    Thank you for making time to write when you are so needed in the medical profession too. God bless and protect you.

  8. Thank you for your comforting words. God bless and keep you safe as you continue working.

  9. Thank you, Doctor. We are always so quick to forget our own sins when we see someone else’s. We also cannot see into their hearts to know if they struggle against their sin, as we struggle against ours. Instead we judge. May God grant me the heart of Jesus when I see another struggling with sin instead of judging with my human heart. Let us all offer a prayer for mercy for them instead of judgement. Maybe we will be the recipients of those prayers.

  11. Jesus forgave the sinner but pointed out and admonished the sin. We should do the same. Always speak the truth as our God, Our Lord and Our Church has taught us. But also be quick to forgive and have mercy for we are all sinners and fall to the faults we know to be wrong. Give mercy fully and ask for mercy from those we have harmed. Thanks Analise for the reminder.

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