A few decades ago, some Seattle parishes were trying to institute a congregational model of governance. It involved – among other things – the parish council interviewing a priest before he became pastor. I was with Fr. Mike Holland when he underwent such an interview. After explaining the various works of the parish and listening to Fr. Mike’s history, the council president asked, “Would you be willing to be periodically evaluated by parishioners?”

Fr. Mike paused, put on a smile and replied, “I don’t think that is the right question. No matter what, people will evaluate me. The question is whether I want to hear the evaluations.”

All of us – especially those with a public role – are constantly being evaluated. When Jesus said, “Stop judging and you will not be judged,” he was not referring to that type of judgment. It is impossible not to evaluate or judge outward behavior and how it impacts others.*

However, there is a type of judgment we should avoid, the judging of motives, the judgment of the other person’s soul. Paradoxically, the problem with judging is not that we tend to be over harsh, but that none of us can really be harsh enough. Even the most dyspeptic – perhaps especially he – is unlikely to see the other’s worst failing – or his genuine goodness.**

In moments of sanity we recognize our own mixed motives - some of which would cause deep shame, if made public. The psalmist expressed fear of becoming an object of derision and he admits he does not see his own hidden faults. David (himself considered responsible for many Psalms) shrank from judging his fiercest enemy, as we see in today’s remarkable Old Testament reading.

A great work of literature can lay bare hidden aspects of our lives. The Glass Menagerie features a mother who seems very compassionate toward her handicapped daughter. But as the play unfolds, it exposes how she uses her daughter for her own gratification – in the process suffocating a grown woman. The drama rivets our attention because we see something of our own souls in the mother and daughter.

C.S. Lewis said that when thinking about death, what most helped him focus was not so much the thought of hell – but of judgment. The idea of being judged, of having ones soul laid bare, should give one pause. It may enable a person to hear Jesus’ warning:

“Stop judging and you will not be judged.”

To refrain from judging is hard, especially if the other person has hurt us or someone we love. A remarkable example of not judging was Maria Giuseppa Forgione, the mother of St. Pio. Her son, Padre Pio, was a source of great pride not only for herself, but also for the entire village of Pietrelcina. When certain people made accusations against him, resulting in loss of his priestly faculties, it stunned the town. Confused and hurt, Maria Giuseppa kept an embarrassed silence. Some townsfolk brought to her rumors against Padre Pio’s accusers. She would have none of it. “We can only know what is on the outside,” she said. “God alone can judge the heart.”

Do not judge. Do not even listen to rumors and gossip. Unless you have an office (teacher, priest, parent, etc.) that requires it, flee from judging any other person. Recognize your inability to penetrate the human heart – even your own.***

Stop judging and you will not be judged.

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