Why do we judge one another? And how does this impact the body of Christ? Given the numerous scripture passages warning, imploring, and commanding us not to judge one another we must accept that judging has a profound impact on the Body of Christ. I see non-judgement and forgiveness as two different sides of the same coin – the coin of divine love. When we engage in divine love we extend forgiveness wholly, completely, and I would say before a trespass has been fully extended. Forgiveness becomes both a noun and a verb in our inner being. All of this is accomplished while standing in a place of neutrality and non-judgement, freely leaving judgement in God’s hands. A place where our inner being embraces the divine love of God, a place of freedom.
It is impossible to judge another when forgiveness fills our heart – forgiveness of self and others. Yet, as a whole mankind finds forgiveness difficult to extend. Without forgiveness judgement is left unchecked, leaving us with a sense of false power and righteousness. We begin to believe we are above and somehow better than another. With this false believe we can fall into the trap of believing that we have no need to offer or receive forgiveness. So why do we do it, why do we judge when God has made it clear that judgement is his alone?
Judgement and Fear
Ironically, we judge out of fear. Let’s reflect on the emotion of fear. God again tells us over and over in scripture that he is with us and there is no need to fear. He will sustain us and he even calls us to cast all our fears on him. Fear goes back to the Fall of mankind. As you can recall, immediately after eating of the fruit Adam and Eve hid when they heard God in the garden. Why did they hide? They hid from God because they were afraid and filled with shame. Fear is powerful and it can rip us away from our benevolent creator if we allow it to do so. Fear is a tool the Evil One uses against us – the liar who came to steal, kill, and destroy – the one who is in the world. Fear and shame are the first two means he used to separate mankind from God after he first persuaded Adam and Eve into sin – no wonder fear and shame hold so much power in our lives. Yet, Satan is powerless at the hands of God.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” – John 10:10
“Little children, you are of God, and have overcome them; for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4
Healthy Fear
Can fear serve a good purpose in our life? Yes, fear can certainly be a positive in our lives. We need to have a healthy fear of God, we need to fear harm so we take the steps necessary to keep ourselves, our family and our brothers and sisters in Christ free from harm. However, we must remember that it is God who gave us the ability to fear so that we would remain safe and under his protection. Fear can play an important part in the unification and healing of the Body of Christ because it helps us survive and stand in awe of God.
Human beings crave community, fellowship, friendship, and family. We have a basic human need to belong. This makes perfect sense because we are created in the image of a communal God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When we judge another as less worthy of membership of our human community out of our own fears we go against the core human need to belong. In the eyes of God we all belong – it is a core law of his. We cannot go through this life alone, our walk with God demands community.
The Body of Christ
Even those who have deeply hurt you have a right to belong to the Body of Christ should they choose to accept Christ’ offer. Whatever their life choices have been that may have caused you pain they will stand before the judgement of God and God alone. The same holds for you – and me. We are all accountable for the injuries we have inflicted on our brothers and sisters. Unfortunately, there are so many wounded people in this world due to trauma (especially childhood trauma) that many inflict pain on others without regard to the ramifications of Godly judgement. Thank goodness God’s mercy surpasses his judgement. Our all-loving God wants all of us to run home to him and his love.
“If you are judging people, you have no time to love them.” – Mother Teresa of Calcutta
When we respond to human woundedness with further injury of judgement we participate in the propagation of evil in the world – whether we are aware of it or not. When we judge we have believed a lie – a lie that another is not worthy of love, forgiveness and inclusion. Of course this is not to say that you must allow yourself to be a doormat or a victim. Remember, Jesus Christ came so that you could have life and have it to the fullest! However, each and every one of us is called into forgiveness, acceptance and love. The best thing we can do for the one who has hurt us, the one we want to judge, is to pray for them and find a way for our heart to experience love for them. There is only one way this can be accomplished – by uniting our pain, the pain that causes us to judge, with the wounds of Christ. Then we can receive the grace of forgiveness. We are called to surrender our wounds to him so that he can fully heal them and bring us into his light– these wounds are part of our cross.
Forgiving and Non-Judging Families
I have obviously written quite a bit on our first reading today. This is not to take away from today’s Gospel where Mark beautifully reveals God’s intention for marriage and the pain of divorce. Having been married for 28 years, while not an authority on marriage, my husband and I have certainly figured a few things out. Our marriage is amazing. I want to leave you with a few thoughts to ponder regarding judgement and marriage. Where would marriage be if parents did not judge the spouse their child choose? I have come to firmly believe that love flows from the top down so to speak – from parent to child and from in-law parent to in-law child. And all love begins with God.
If the elder generation focused on their heart, on how they can love, accept and guide the younger generation how would this effect marriage? How would it affect children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren? If spouses did not judge one another, but rather shared in each other’s wounds and burdens how would this affect the marriage, the family and the world? Judgement runs deep in the fabric of the world and it can be found as the source of significant pain and separation from God. However, when surrender judgement to God we open ourselves to boundless healing and unification with Christ.
We are better than worldly fear, we are stronger then earthly judgement, we will overcome fear with God’s aid. We can do this with the One who is The Way, The Truth and The Life.
Global Light For Christ
We are a community where both sides of love’s divine coin continually evolve in our hearts. We surrender to forgiveness and non-judgement as we reach out to Christ for direction and aid. If you need to grow in forgiveness and non-judgement please leave your petition below (or any other petition). We always strive to more fully surrender to the will of our Triune God.
Spiritual Friendships: I have started a Spiritual Friendship Circle. We meet once a month in my home to support each other on our spiritual journey. If you live in the area consider this your invitation. Click here for further information. However, I do recognize that many of you do not live near me – a vast understatement of course! Perhaps God is calling you to begin, or participate in, a Spiritual Friendship Circle? I think it is a great way to love ourselves and our neighbors all the while loving God.
Spiritual Friendship Circle
Last month we came together and practiced group Lectio Divina. We went around our circle and each of us read a line from the previous Friday’s scripture – I narrowed it down to 6 verses because there were six of us. Once the selected verses were read we sat with the reading for a bit of quiet, contemplative prayer time. Then we began sharing how this particular scripture touched us and what it meant to us personally. Once we shared what we felt we wanted to share, we went around and read the same scripture again. Then again, we shared what was in our heart. Amazing how the scripture deepened in our hearts with the second and subsequent readings. We did this four times in Lectio Divina style. It was pretty simple – yet, very deep and profound at the same time. You might want to try it in a group of your own.
God bless all of you. See you next week Friday – Carolyn
God the Father – hold us in your Fatherly love.
God the Son – bring us through yourself.
God the Holy Spirit – immerse us in divine love.
