Overcoming Judgment: A Journey to Kindness and Patience

You, O man, are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment.
For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself,
since you, the judge, do the very same things. – Romans 2:1

As I read this passage this morning, it read something like this: “You, (insert name here) are without excuse…you judge…{and} do the very same things.“

Guilty as charged.

In my heart, I judge those who are trapped by addiction. I had and have my own addictions. I judge those with weak faith. I often (read daily) have moments of unbelief. I judge other’s indulgences in food and drink. I’ve been known to eat a sleeve of Oreos and drink in excess. I judge the lack of generosity in others. I’ve withheld generosity for stupid, petty reasons.

I judge…and…do the very same thing.

In this reading, St. Paul doesn’t hold back. As if beating me up for my hypocrisy wasn’t enough, he goes on:

By your stubbornness and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself for the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God… – Romans 2:5

That phrase, store up, rings a stinging bell. Jesus says, “But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. (Matthew 6:19)”

In my heart, am I storing up imperishable treasure or wrath? This is the question for each and every moment of my life! Where is my heart? Is it like God’s: full of kindness, forbearance, and patience (Romans 2:4)? Or, is it full of hidden judgement and hypocrisy known only to me… and God, thus storing up wrath?

The Gospel today points to the same issue. In Matthew’s parallel version, the rebuke is even stronger:

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing. – Matthew 23:27-28

Guilty as charged, Lord! I try to appear as faithful, peaceful, non-judgmental, and even holy. I expect perfection from others while generously turning a blind eye to my own faults (see Luke 11:46). Inside, I’m a mess and in deep need of your kindness, forbearance, and patience. I’m in urgent need of your mercy, help, and guidance. Yet, with you I am not without hope. Today’s Psalm restores my hope and refreshes my strength to get up and try again and again…

Only in God is my soul at rest;
    from him comes my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
    my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed at all.

Trust in him at all times, O my people!
    Pour out your hearts before him;
    God is our refuge! – Psalm 62: 2-3, 9

Today, let us be watchful of our judgements. Ask yourself when judging, do I do the very same thing in some way? Try to be like the Lord, full of kindness, forbearance, and patience. Let me know how it goes!