This reading today has always been like a quiet chastisement for me. Matthew has Jesus telling his disciple not to judge. I am aware how often I judge during the course of a day. The plank in my own eye often gets in the way. We can notice the faults all around us but we are blind to our own sin and self-righteousness. How can I ever repent? Gossip runs rampant, scattering seeds of discord everywhere. Lately, I can barely keep my ears out of the range of stories buzzing around, harming people’s reputation and causing havoc.

I still am learning how not to participate. I try instead to steer conversations to goodness or change the topic but some days I fall into the wood cutting business and before I know it that log in my eye obscures the Truth.

How often a day do you find yourself in a moment of judging? Can you let it go and be affirming instead?

Peace,

Suzanne