D o not pass judgment on others. Remember that you too will be judged. In the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. The things you do to others will come back to be done to you. Instead, give, and it will be given back to you. Give and your generosity will be poured back into your lap. For with the measure of generosity you use, it will come back to you pressed down, shaken together and running over.

As Jesus spoke, I listened. I listened and thought about the things he said. Since he did not pause to wait for me to consider, I lost some of what he said. This is the first time I have ever heard him speak at length. He was not given to sermonizing. Most of what he had to say, he said in more of a conversational way. He was not his cousin’s equal as an orator, but when he did speak, people listened. He had a way that caused you to reach, to ask questions like, “What did he say?” “What did he mean by that?” I found myself trying to hear. I didn’t want to miss a syllable and was often annoyed with myself for thinking about what he said instead of listening. It is the fatal flaw of speaking to many, I guess. You cannot wait for all to finish processing what you have said before you must go on to the next thing. I found myself wishing I had some private time with Jesus. I had so many questions. I would love him to speak just to me.

Like this issue of judging. Is it not the nature of mankind to have laws and pass judgment? What of crimes against person and property? Should not those who do such things be judged and punished? Then perhaps Jesus is more concerned with the judgmental attitudes of my heart. I confess I am often angry with others for offenses against me, some of which are wholly imaginary. Sometimes when I move about amongst others, I imagine scenarios in which they get in my way or otherwise annoy me. I take perverse delight in inventing withering ‘comebacks,’ or if I am intensely annoyed, even worse. I totally destroy them. This all takes place in my mind. I wish I didn’t do that. Why can I not continually think and feel love and kindness for my fellow? Why am I persistently irritated with those around me? I am not happy when I think these things. Why do I think them? I pray that the Father will not think so ill of me.

I shall do this: I shall resolve to treat all as lovingly as I can. I shall resolve not to respond with rage when wronged, but try instead to understand and to be generous in my understanding. May, God grant, may I give without thought of response in kind.

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the board in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a board in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the board out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Then you will have the credibility to judge him. And by the way, let me know when you have managed to remove the board.

How deeply his words search me out. Based on his equation, I am not now nor will I ever be credentialed to criticize others. It is patently wrong to expect of others what I cannot bring about in myself. Disagreeing with another is one thing, critically diminishing him for disagreeing is quite another. Although he holds values different than mine, I cannot even abide by my own ideals, why should I expect it of him? Jesus is right. There is only one competent Judge, and it is not me. Yet while I know this to be true, still I criticize, still I pass judgment. If I am judged by the judgment I dispense, I am of all men most condemned. God, in your grace, have mercy.

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