“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For the judgment you give will be the judgment you get, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye."
Matthew 7:1-5 (NRSVue)
This may be the most oft-quoted part of the Sermon on the Mount! Most people like to quote, "Do not judge" if they are being held accountable. Unfortunately for the frequent users, it is not a ticket for libertine behavior! Rather, it reminds us to approach accountability first with ourselves and then with others. We should always approach any of these conversations with humility.
I'm reminded of the 4th Century monk, Abba Moses, who lived in the Egyptian desert. He was invited to take part in the trial of one of the brothers in their order who had crossed a line. On his way, he filled a cracked jug with water and let it dribble out as they walked to where the court was gathered. When his other brothers asked him why he carried the leaky jug, Abba Moses replied, "My sins run out behind me, and I do not see them, but today I am coming to judge the errors of another."
They forgave the brother.
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If we are to stay in community, from time to time, there are certain unhelpful behaviors to which we call attention.
Otherwise, community begins to break down. We used to say at church camp, respect the three p's - people, place and process. Respecting people is primary. Respecting the place meant that we shouldn't trash our temporary home. This advice goes farther than our campgrounds. Finally, respect the process means that we are to show up on time, participate fully, and observe the covenant that we make together as a small group.
The small groups that I've seen bond well through the years have been able to respect one another through a sense of humility that kept them from judging one another.
During this season of Lent, how do we give the benefit of the doubt to people more often? If we were to do this, would we be able to improve the communities with which we are a part? With our families, it sometimes feels like a tightrope. At times, there are behaviors which cross a line that we need to call on the carpet but there are plenty of things that we need to overlook if we are to stay in relationship.
Maybe Jesus is calling us to be grateful for all the people who have overlooked the times we have crossed the line. Maybe we need to keep a cracked jug of our own in the kitchen.
Prayer for the day: Gracious God, we give thanks for the people we love and are appreciative of the relationships which give us life. We recognize that just as we've had to forgive to keep them from breaking, we have also had our friends and family overlook plenty of things we've done. Help us to walk the tightrope of accountability and forgiveness with the grace we receive from you every day. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
Photo by istolethetv via Flickr.com. Used under the Creative Commons license.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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