23/06/2025
DAILY REFLECTION: WITH KINDNESS IN MY HEART
Matthew 7:1-5 "Judge not, and you will not be judged."
The judgment with which we measure people has nothing to do with our human nature as beloved children of God. And Jesus tells us: "For as you judge, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, you will be measured." Are you prepared to be measured as you measure others?
In today's Gospel, Matthew invites us to contemplate ourselves, to look within ourselves, and to analyze our actions. Am I as just as Jesus, that I have the right to judge my brothers and sisters? Can I cast the first stone?
Many people confuse the meaning of the word "judge" with a critical observation. When we judge, we often point out someone's mistakes with the intention of hurting, with hatred, or with anger. It's a very unpleasant way of expressing ourselves. When we make a critical observation, it's often to improve, to make positive changes. The intention isn't to offend the other person, it's to help improve things, and it's usually not done with feelings of revenge, hatred, or resentment. Yes, it's true that it's difficult to distinguish these two attitudes, which is why it's so important to recognize who we are, how we think, and realize that we're not perfect and that we also make many mistakes. Hence, we must be careful if we judge someone without even knowing the reasons for their way of being or acting.
Let's put into practice knowing ourselves before believing we know others. Perhaps this way, we'll be more careful about how we treat our family, our friends, those we don't know but see at the café, at work, or at school, to realize if we would like to be treated the same way.
“Let me remove the speck from your eye,” the scripture says, when the speck in our eye is greatest. I must first acknowledge my mistakes, my faults, my clumsiness, before I judge whoever is standing before me. Let us not forget this.
A very important rule of life, which falls under the commandment of love, respect, and common sense, is kindness. I am good to others because it is my nature to be good, even if they are mean to me; because what brings me closer to the kingdom of God is my behavior, and that is what I must work on, not that of others.
Today's Purpose: Father, I want to focus on seeing my mistakes, my failures, my defects, my imperfections, before I dare to judge others. Give me your wisdom to be like your Son, Jesus Christ, so that my heart may be filled with compassion and kindness when I interact with others.
