Words said in Love

Stop judging.

1 [a]“Stop judging,[b] that you may not be judged. 2 For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. 3 Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? 5 You hypocrite,[c] remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.-Matthew7:1-5

Is it really difficult to be quiet and just refrain oneself from passing judgment? Nowadays, people demand the freedom to express. However, freedom to express does not necessarily mean being harsh, rude and ruthless in speech. I do not agree that harsh, rude and ruthless speech (or bashing to some) is freedom of speech because real freedom is knowing what to say, how to say it, and saying it with love and respect. It is not an impediment or a hindrance but as a way of exercising responsibly that freedom. I do not agree that freedom of speech is all about what we say only, rather, it has something to do also with the effect it will cause others.

One day I was dining with some friends, and one of us happened to be the cook. One friend said out loud that the food is bland. I shushed her and said that we are only eating, we did not cook, we ought to be thankful for the effort of our other friend to cook, and that the food is still a blessing. But my friend said, "Why? Can't I express an opinion?" I said, "Of course, you can. But you do it while considering the feelings of the other person who exerted effort for us." Yes, there is, I think, a thin line between expressing an opinion and judging others. For me, whether it is sharing an opinion, voicing out one's self, fraternal correction, etc., it should be done with love, respect and concern.

Image courtesy: artist

Two Poles

Two poles.

35 As Jesus was teaching in the temple area he said, “How do the scribes claim that the Messiah is the son of David? 36 David himself, inspired by the holy Spirit, said:‘The Lord said to my lord,“Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies under your feet.”’37 David himself calls him ‘lord’; so how is he his son?” [The] great crowd heard this with delight.-Mark12:35-37

Jesus was probably an enigma during His time. Even the most learned cannot predict or box Him. Indeed God's ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts. I remember a religious priest who once said that he really dislike one community member. The latter was so kill joy - wouldn't join in the recreation, disliked outing, kept to himself all the time. A mysterious man despite being a priest too. All the same, the community endured him though some are thinking of transferring him to another community. One day, the mysterious member just suddenly opened up and cried before them. He admitted that he was suffering from depression, he was in crisis. He never dared join the community activities for fear that what he was undergoing through will be made known. He kept it secret for a long time. In fact, the other communities always would want him to leave because they cannot put up with his kill joy antics. He was truly thankful that the community where he was in was an understanding one. Well, so many of the community members were most humbled by the situation. It is easy to judge somebody based on his/her actions, words and other external manifestations. But the truth is, we do not always know what's going on. So who are we to judge if we barely know what's going on?

Image courtesy: dreamstime

The Role to Play

We all have a role to play, a purpose in life.

14 Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot,[a] went to the chief priests 15 [b]and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, 16 and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,[c] the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 [d]He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, “My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.”’” 19 The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”[e] 22 Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” 23 He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. 24 [f]The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” 25 [g]Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”

Every story has a villain, a hero, a climax, a turning point, a beginning, an end, a twist, etc. In our present reality, we do not want to be the 'Judas Iscariot' of the group. As I read the gospel reading, I cannot help but wonder if Judas' role is really the villain through and through. After all even Jesus said, "... but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born." Is Judas meant to be doomed even before his birth, then? It is true that Jesus is Love and He is an overflowing river of mercy, compassion and forgiveness. Surely, there is room for forgiveness for Judas. However, because of despair, lacking in trust and faith, and guilt, Judas opted to kill himself rather than face Jesus. Perhaps Judas was afraid that he will not be forgiven. But then again, isn't it true that Jesus never condemns, never judges, always forgives, heals and gives many chances? If there is an alternative ending for Judas, I would like that he did not kill himself. I would have wanted that he asked for forgiveness, mercy and compassion, and that Jesus gave it to Him. His story will definitely be very remarkable, if it is the case. A perfect story for those who are wondering if there is forgiveness for those who sincerely ask for one despite one's sinfulness. The choice is ours if we want to take the road to destruction or the road to redemption. Jesus does not condemn. Despite knowing the plan of Judas, never did Jesus say in the group that the former is plotting evil against Him. This is a proof that Jesus continues to knock in all our hearts, and will never condemn. What will our choice be?

Image courtesy: artist

As simple as that

Well said.

36 Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful.37 “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. 38 Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”-Luke6:36-38

This teaching of Jesus is very appropriate in our time. Now, there is much emphasis on Freedom of Expression or Freedom of Speech. And some want that it is limitless - that is, anybody can say anything even if it is discriminating, biased, prejudiced, hurtful, rude, stupid or puts others to shame. Some say there could never be discrimination in freedom of speech since it is free after all. Really? If we cannot write or say something aimed at a certain group, then the freedom of speech is reduced. Really? It is sometimes easy for journalists, artists or writers to make up something aimed on certain people or nations because they are not in the center stage. They hide behind their pens, their pencils, their typewriters or computers. But once their 'work' had a different consequence, here they are, crying about the loss or reduction of their freedom to express, they cry of abuse. Some people like to bash or bully online since they can hide behind made-up pseudonyms, and claim it as freedom of expression. But they do not want to be victims themselves. And if there is a reversal of fortune, and they are the victims of cyber bashing, here they cry of cyber bullying or cyber abuses. Jesus said it well in today's Gospel reading. If we want peace and love, let us sow seeds of peace and love even if others do not want to. Yes, we can make a point, express, write or say anything but we must always be ready to face its consequences. Good words, thoughts and actions attract positive and good things in life. Bad words, thoughts and actions attract negative and bad things in life. As simple as that.

Image courtesy: artist 

The Leaven

Watch out!

14 They had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 [a]He enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 16 They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread. 17 When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, 19 when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?” They answered him, “Twelve.” 20 “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered [him], “Seven.” 21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”-Mark8:14-21

What is the leaven of the Pharisees? What is the leaven of Herod? The leaven of the Pharisees are the ways that one should not imitate. Herod represents the world, and so the leaven of Herod are the worldly ways that one should not imitate. The Pharisees are not bad individuals, perhaps, they lack a few virtues to put it mildly. Herod, despite his wickedness, perhaps has a little ounce of goodness in him. Some of the leaven or the ways of the Pharisees that we should watch out for are: hypocrisy, condemning or judging others, separating ourselves from those who are not our "equal," stubbornness of heart which powers narrow-mindedness. While some of the leaven or the ways of Herod that we should watch out for are: injustice, immorality, greed for temporal goods (wealth, power, ambition and fame), disregard for holiness. The leaven of the Pharisees and Herod can be summarized into a few words only - absence or lack of love. Jesus is constantly inviting us to return to Him by shedding away the old self, and putting on the cloak of His love.

Image courtesy: artist

Do not Judge

Do we live in a judgmental world?

1 He departed from there and came to his native place,[a] accompanied by his disciples. 2 [b]When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! 3 Is he not the carpenter,[c] the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 [d]Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” 5 So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,[e] apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.-Mark6:1-6

Last Christmas, my mother and sister accompanied me to my godmother. The visit is not only to bring her our gift and to greet her, but also to ask her a favor to give me an evaluation. Though I can choose my other friends for this task, I preferred my godmother because of her seniority and involvement with the Church. As we continued with the evaluation, my sister keeps on refuting, denying, disapproving and contradicting every good word given to me. She's always making a face, always grumbling whenever a good comment is uttered. I was fed up and mouthed to her to shut up because the one giving the evaluation is my godmother and not her. I gently told her that every person has a different way of seeing another person, if I am a bad person in the eyes of my sister then so shall it be, but what's wrong if my godmother thought that I am a good person? What's wrong if others think well of me? I asked her, "Do your friends all think the same way when they evaluate you?" I believe Jesus' invitation to us all is to be slow or to not judge hastily other people. There is such a thing as CHANGE and CONVERSION. Life can be better for some. God can bestow the best gift there is to anybody even if that person seems to be unfit to our judgment. Life is much better if we rejoice in our own blessings and to rejoice as well in other people's blessings.

Image courtesy: artist