“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged.” (Mt 7:1–2a)
These words become clear to us when we think of our Heavenly Father. We need only observe how He treats us to learn how we should treat others. In tomorrow’s reflection, in Jesus’ encounter with the adulterous woman, this becomes very clear.
It is important to keep reminding ourselves that Jesus did not come into the world to judge. “If any one hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world” (Jn 12:47).
Certainly, we must judge matters from the perspective of faith; otherwise, we become confused. A sin remains a sin, and we cannot reinterpret it. The path of reconciliation and forgiveness through God is open to us, for the Father always offers it to us.
Even in our encounters with others, especially with our brothers and sisters in the faith, we must not turn a blind eye when they sin. We are called to help them so that they may return to the right path and leave the ways of sin.
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” (Mt 18:15)
But how can we do as the Father does? The Father also looks upon the sinner with love, because He is His creature and He wants to save him. In doing so, He never overlooks the sin, but He wants to forgive the person who shows repentance. We, too, need this attitude. It will teach us not to condemn the sinner, not to judge him.
Here is the video featuring reflections on Jesus’ words from the “3 Minutes for Abba” on June 4 and 5: