Judging & Being Judged
Mark S. Roberti, Director of Stewardship
Heartland Parishes of Ellis County
How often have we heard it said, “Judge not lest you shall be judged.”? The next two verses goes, “For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?” (Cf. Mt 7: 1-3) That’s followed by some equally strong words, “You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye” (Mt 7:5).
For the sake of this article, let’s call it the “J” word, “judgmentalism.” Does “not judging another” mean we should refrain from making moral judgments altogether? In the passage just quoted, is Jesus telling Christians to stop being beacons of moral light in our culture? Of course not! We each must make hundreds and even thousands of moral judgments every day. Life would be absolutely chaotic were we not making those judgments. But this Scripture verse does mean that we have no business judging anyone else’s ultimate salvific destination. That is God’s domain, alone.
One whole branch of Christian theology deals with moral theology. The Church, herself, is trying to teach us, her children, how to make the right moral choices, and how to recognize and choose against immoral acts in ourselves and others. It’s part of our catechesis. She even defines the terms for us. Our role as Christians is to live within certain spiritual and moral parameters and to encourage others likewise. We, as Catholics, share with Jesus in the work of our own salvation and that of the whole world.
Making good moral judgments is our God-given responsibility. In Leviticus 19:15, we are told to “judge our fellow men justly”. We must necessarily make judgments as to the “goodness” and the “evilness” of our own actions and those of others. Certainly, the golden rule comes into play here. We must judge justly and in love just as God does. Jesus didn’t condemn the woman caught in adultery. He showed divine mercy. He said, neither do I condemn you. Go, [and] from now on sin no more” (Jn 8:11). The implication within that statement has two edges: we ought to behave properly, and we ought to judge mercifully?
To those Christians and others who quote Scripture to say we are not to judge at all, I would suggest they are playing into the hands of the moral relativists. Prior to becoming Pope, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger called moral relativism the greatest threat to the faith today.
As I write this article, a couple of days ago I went to the diocesan in-service on human embryonic stem cell research and cloning. What we have here is a heinous, objective, evil. A person is killed in the process every time it occurs. Yet, most of the people who promote it are good people. They believe they are seeking cures. They believe the ends simply justify the means.
Because they are good people doing what they believe is right, should Christians be silent? I think not. Is it wrong to stick to one’s convictions when people who are behaving in a manner that degrades human dignity use the “J” word to parry criticism? Are we hypocrites if we stick to Church teachings, or are we hypocrites if we don’t?
What about the other hot button issues like euthanasia, fornication, homosexual acts, pornography, etc.? Should they be given a free pass? Should the world have said nothing when Hitler was gassing Jews? Should we be judgment neutral? People are harmed each and every time these acts occur. The whole community is harmed. This is true even though people choosing these acts deny it as sin…or even deny the concept of sin altogether. It is true even though they deny they are harming themselves.
How can we know if we are objectively right or wrong in making a judgment? We can trust in the teachings of the Church. It is living the teachings of the Church in love that we can judge justly. The one deposit of faith is not in the Bible alone, but is also in the traditions and magisterial teaching of the Church. Our Catholic Church has proven herself, throughout the ages, to be the only element of this world that can respond reliably to the perils of every day and age.
Science and technology are losing their bearings. Today, unfortunately, almost anything goes if there is a market for it. Dollars and desires often drive ethics. Think about it, human embryonic stem cell research and cloning kill other human beings to harvest body parts. Where does mankind go from here?
Should we, as Catholics, not show holy boldness and say that is wrong? Should we not stand for Church teaching? If not us, then who should? If not now, then when? If this is not stewardship, then I don’t know what is.