Ijournal entry 080717 # 31. August, month of the Blessed Sacrament. The Rule of St Benedict . Quotes by St. John of Damascus, Fr. Raoul Plus, S.J. and St. Ambrose. Article: Two Apples", written by Michelle Fortes. Book: "Introduction to the Devout" by St. Francis De Sales . YouTube video:"The Mystery of God in our Lives", by Marino Restrepo
"If the Pope himself would give you a special invitation to visit him in the Vatican, this honor would be nothing in comparison to the honor and dignity that Jesus himself bestows upon you with the invitation of spending one hour with him in the Blessed Sacrament. "The divine Eucharist bestows upon the Christian people the incomparable dignity." By Pope Paul VI
The Rule of St. Benedict
"Let all guests that come be received like Christ, for he will say: I was a stranger and ye took me in. And let fitting honour be shown to all, especially to those who are of the household of the faith and to pilgrims. As soon, therefore, as a guest is announced, let the superior or the brethren meet him with all charitable service. And first of all let them pray together, and then let them unite in the kiss of peace. This kiss of peace shall not be offered until after the prayers have been said, on account of the delusions of the devil. In the greeting of all guests, whether they be arriving or departing, let the greatest humility be shown. Let the head be bowed or the whole body prostrated on the ground, and so let Christ be worshipped in them, for indeed he is received in their persons. When the guests have been received, let them be led to prayer, and afterwards let the superior, or a monk appointed by him, sit with them. Let the law of God be read before the guest for his edification, and then let all kindness be shown to him. The superior shall break his fast for the sake of a guest, unless it be a special fast-day which may not be violated; but the brethren shall observe the customary fasts. Let the abbot give the guests water for their hands; and let both the abbot and community wash the feet of all guests. When they have washed them, let them say this verse: Suscepimus, Deus, misericordiam tuam in medio templi tui.2 In the reception of poor men and pilgrims special attention should be shown, because in them is Christ more truly welcomed; for the fear which the rich inspire is enough of itself to win them honor."
MC= How often do we seriously think about acknowledging Christ in others? Without a doubt, to do so would transform how we respond. Some people are so pleasant and caring with friends and strangers alike, others, well, their behavior leaves a lot to be desired. May we all respond to the least of the brethren as we would to Christ, because He really is in each person, and we will have to give an account for our behavior.
"Let all guests that come be received like Christ, for he will say: I was a stranger and ye took me in. And let fitting honour be shown to all, especially to those who are of the household of the faith and to pilgrims. As soon, therefore, as a guest is announced, let the superior or the brethren meet him with all charitable service. And first of all let them pray together, and then let them unite in the kiss of peace. This kiss of peace shall not be offered until after the prayers have been said, on account of the delusions of the devil. In the greeting of all guests, whether they be arriving or departing, let the greatest humility be shown. Let the head be bowed or the whole body prostrated on the ground, and so let Christ be worshipped in them, for indeed he is received in their persons. When the guests have been received, let them be led to prayer, and afterwards let the superior, or a monk appointed by him, sit with them. Let the law of God be read before the guest for his edification, and then let all kindness be shown to him. The superior shall break his fast for the sake of a guest, unless it be a special fast-day which may not be violated; but the brethren shall observe the customary fasts. Let the abbot give the guests water for their hands; and let both the abbot and community wash the feet of all guests. When they have washed them, let them say this verse: Suscepimus, Deus, misericordiam tuam in medio templi tui.2 In the reception of poor men and pilgrims special attention should be shown, because in them is Christ more truly welcomed; for the fear which the rich inspire is enough of itself to win them honor."
MC= How often do we seriously think about acknowledging Christ in others? Without a doubt, to do so would transform how we respond. Some people are so pleasant and caring with friends and strangers alike, others, well, their behavior leaves a lot to be desired. May we all respond to the least of the brethren as we would to Christ, because He really is in each person, and we will have to give an account for our behavior.
🌕 "When Moses put off his sandals, he symbolized an important duty of ours -- the laying aside of all dead and groveling thoughts. Let us then, my brethren, purify ourselves from every earthly imagination, and from all the disturbances and confusion of life, that we may receive with unclouded vision, the radiant splendors of the Divine Word, and have our souls nourished with the spiritual bread which is the angel's food; and, passing within the veil, may learn clearly the divine passion for the salvation of the world". By St. John of Damascus
🍏 "The simpler a soul becomes, the more God works in it; and, conversely, the more God works in it the simpler a soul becomes." By Fr. Raoul Plus, S. J.
🌏 "Control your tongue lest it be wanton and luxuriate; like a river, keep it within its banks. A rapidly flowing river soon collects mud; a talkative tongue soon speaks dirt". By St. Ambrose
🍏 "The simpler a soul becomes, the more God works in it; and, conversely, the more God works in it the simpler a soul becomes." By Fr. Raoul Plus, S. J.
🌏 "Control your tongue lest it be wanton and luxuriate; like a river, keep it within its banks. A rapidly flowing river soon collects mud; a talkative tongue soon speaks dirt". By St. Ambrose
At a recent novena it was stressed that we are to be faithful daily to God's love. How beautiful to take this to heart and to see that any encounter or circumstance is an opportunity to show faithfulness to God's love. In every trial, one can attempt to show faithfulness and to trust in God's love is enough to sustain us and hold us in the palms of His hands He shelters us with the utmost of care.
Also another good point made at the novena, was about how our flaws can be used for good by God. That is speaking loudly to my heart. A story was told about a man traveling a long distance daily carrying two large pots, one over each shoulder. One pot was cracked, so at the end of each delivery destination, only half of the water made it there from the pot with the crack in it. Well, after one year the pot that was cracked spoke to the man and apologized for being responsible for causing him to work so hard day after day, and only being able to deliver a deficient amount of water to host source. The man responded joyfully that during all those trips the seeds he had planted were able to grow and bloom because of the constant watering. In the end they will cut and placed on the master's table, for whom all the water had been carried.
The lesson was profound, upon reflection of my great flaw, that being super sensitivity, it can be seen that a great mission can be accomplished in my consenting to being a daily martyr in little ways. Super sensitivity is a negative that can be turned into a positive, cause one is able to be sensitive to others, picking up things low on the radar. Help can be provided that would otherwise go unnoticed by others. So grateful for the new revelation, new in the sense of it reaching the heart, traveling from the head. What a blessing that a flaw can be used to help me to be a little martyr in regards to small things in daily life. That death can generate flowers for God's throne. A confirmation to that lesson came in the form of a video shown to us in our Tuesday class on the spirituality of the laity. The boy in the video did a good deed by placing a potted plant under a water leak, and the dead plant later produced beautiful flowers.
To be attentive and see God's purpose in the revelation that unfolds in our lives and in the lives of others, is an exciting journey to embark upon. It is amazing to see the role that all of this play in our spiritual lives. A steppingstone for us to go from glory to glory as is intended by the God who cares and loves us so much. This is the beauty of how the leaven of God works through us by the power of the Holy Spirit. All of which is the natural workings of the Holy Spirit. If we aren't recognizing and hearing from the Holy Spirit constantly, then we're somehow tuned out and operating on the wrong frequency wavelength. The culprit many times is just spiritual immaturity, Lord grace us to be intimately abiding in you, united to the Holy Spirit all for our good, the good of others, and God's greater glory.
The lesson was profound, upon reflection of my great flaw, that being super sensitivity, it can be seen that a great mission can be accomplished in my consenting to being a daily martyr in little ways. Super sensitivity is a negative that can be turned into a positive, cause one is able to be sensitive to others, picking up things low on the radar. Help can be provided that would otherwise go unnoticed by others. So grateful for the new revelation, new in the sense of it reaching the heart, traveling from the head. What a blessing that a flaw can be used to help me to be a little martyr in regards to small things in daily life. That death can generate flowers for God's throne. A confirmation to that lesson came in the form of a video shown to us in our Tuesday class on the spirituality of the laity. The boy in the video did a good deed by placing a potted plant under a water leak, and the dead plant later produced beautiful flowers.
To be attentive and see God's purpose in the revelation that unfolds in our lives and in the lives of others, is an exciting journey to embark upon. It is amazing to see the role that all of this play in our spiritual lives. A steppingstone for us to go from glory to glory as is intended by the God who cares and loves us so much. This is the beauty of how the leaven of God works through us by the power of the Holy Spirit. All of which is the natural workings of the Holy Spirit. If we aren't recognizing and hearing from the Holy Spirit constantly, then we're somehow tuned out and operating on the wrong frequency wavelength. The culprit many times is just spiritual immaturity, Lord grace us to be intimately abiding in you, united to the Holy Spirit all for our good, the good of others, and God's greater glory.
John 16:13-15 "But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, He will guide us to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but He will speak what He hears, &will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because He will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that He will take from what is mine and declare it to you" |
Romans 8:14 "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God" |
Galatians 5:16-18 "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Sppirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law" |
On the same day that this realization came, the reading from the Magnificat Devotion was perfect for enforcing the message. Death to self, little deaths so martyr like, what a perfect sacrifice to offer God.
"TWO APPLES", written by Michelle Fortes
Info from this site:
http://witandwisdomstories.com/two-apples/
"A lovely little girl was holding two apples with both hands.
Her Mom came in and softly asked her little daughter with a smile; my sweetie, could you give your mom one of your two apples?
The girl looked up at her mom for some seconds, then she suddenly took a quick bite on one apple, and then quickly on the other.
The mom felt the smile on her face freeze. She tried hard not to reveal her disappointment. Then the little girl handed one of her bitten apples to her mom,and said: mummy, here you are. This is the sweeter one.
No matter who you are, how experienced you are, and how knowledgeable you think you are, always delay judgement. Give others the privilege to explain themselves. What you see may not be the reality. Never conclude for others. Which is why we should never only focus on the surface and judge others without understanding them first.
Those who like to pay the bill, do so not because they are loaded but because they value friendship above money. Those who take the initiative at work, do so not because they are stupid but because they understand the concept of responsibility. Those who apologizes first after a fight, do so not because they are wrong but because they value the people around them. Those who are willing to help you, do so not because they owe you any thing but because they see you as a true friend. Those who often text you, do so not because they have nothing better to do but because you are in their heart. Those who take out time to chat with you, does not mean they are jobless or less busy, but they know the importance of keeping in touch.
One day, all of us will get separated from each other; we will miss our conversations of everything & nothing; the dreams that we had.
Days will pass by, months, years, until this contact becomes rare… One day our children will see our pictures and ask ‘Who are these people?’ And we will smile with invisible tears because a heart is touched with a strong word and you will say: ‘IT WAS THEM THAT I HAD THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE WITH’."
Info from this site:
http://witandwisdomstories.com/two-apples/
"A lovely little girl was holding two apples with both hands.
Her Mom came in and softly asked her little daughter with a smile; my sweetie, could you give your mom one of your two apples?
The girl looked up at her mom for some seconds, then she suddenly took a quick bite on one apple, and then quickly on the other.
The mom felt the smile on her face freeze. She tried hard not to reveal her disappointment. Then the little girl handed one of her bitten apples to her mom,and said: mummy, here you are. This is the sweeter one.
No matter who you are, how experienced you are, and how knowledgeable you think you are, always delay judgement. Give others the privilege to explain themselves. What you see may not be the reality. Never conclude for others. Which is why we should never only focus on the surface and judge others without understanding them first.
Those who like to pay the bill, do so not because they are loaded but because they value friendship above money. Those who take the initiative at work, do so not because they are stupid but because they understand the concept of responsibility. Those who apologizes first after a fight, do so not because they are wrong but because they value the people around them. Those who are willing to help you, do so not because they owe you any thing but because they see you as a true friend. Those who often text you, do so not because they have nothing better to do but because you are in their heart. Those who take out time to chat with you, does not mean they are jobless or less busy, but they know the importance of keeping in touch.
One day, all of us will get separated from each other; we will miss our conversations of everything & nothing; the dreams that we had.
Days will pass by, months, years, until this contact becomes rare… One day our children will see our pictures and ask ‘Who are these people?’ And we will smile with invisible tears because a heart is touched with a strong word and you will say: ‘IT WAS THEM THAT I HAD THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE WITH’."
Sharing what the Lord is convicting me of. Thanks be to God when He reveals things to us, giving us a chance to repent and change by His precious grace. It's either to change and repeat now or to do so in purgatory, if what we are doing is not mortal.
Book: "Introduction to the Devout" by St. Francis De Sales
Excerpts: Part III, Chapter 28, Hasty Judgments
"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged," said the Saviour of our souls; "condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned:" and the Apostle Saint Paul, "Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, Who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts." Of a truth, hasty judgments are most displeasing to God, and men's judgments are hasty, because we are not judges one of another, and by judging we usurp our Lord's own office. Man's judgment is hasty, because the chief malice of sin lies in the intention and counsel of the heart, which is shrouded in darkness to us. Moreover, man's judgments are hasty, because each one has enough to do in judging himself, without undertaking to judge his neighbour. If we would not be judged, it behoves us alike not to judge others, and to judge ourselves. Our Lord forbids the one, His Apostle enjoins the other, saying, "If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." But alas! for the most part we precisely reverse these precepts, judging our neighbour, which is forbidden on all sides, while rarely judging ourselves, as we are told to do.
We must proceed to rectify rash judgments, according to their cause. Some hearts there are so bitter and harsh by nature, that everything turns bitter under their touch; men who, in the Prophet's words, "turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth."Such as these greatly need to be dealt with by some wise spiritual physician, for this bitterness being natural to them, it is hard to conquer; and although it be rather an imperfection than a sin, still it is very dangerous, because it gives rise to and fosters rash judgments and slander within the heart. Others there are who are guilty of rash judgments less out of a bitter spirit than from pride, supposing to exalt their own credit by disparaging that of others. These are self-sufficient, presumptuous people, who stand so high in their own conceit that they despise all else as mean and worthless.
It was the foolish Pharisee who said, "I am not as other men are." Others, again, have not quite such overt pride, but rather a lurking little satisfaction in beholding what is wrong in others, in order to appreciate more fully what they believe to be their own superiority. This satisfaction is so well concealed, so nearly imperceptible, that it requires a clear sight to discover it, and those who experience it need that it be pointed out to them. Some there are who seek to excuse and justify themselves to their own conscience, by assuming readily that others are guilty of the same faults, or as great ones, vainly imagining that the sin becomes less culpable when shared by many. Others, again, give way to rash judgments merely because they take pleasure in a philosophic analysis and dissection of their neighbours' characters; and if by ill luck they chance now and then to be right, their presumption and love of criticism strengthens almost incurably.
Then there are people whose judgment is solely formed by inclination; who always think well of those they like, and ill of those they dislike. To this, however, there is one rare exception, which nevertheless we do sometimes meet, when an excessive love provokes a false judgment concerning its object; the hideous result of a diseased, faulty, restless affection, which is in fact jealousy; an evil passion capable, as everybody knows, of condemning others of perfidy and adultery upon the most trivial and fanciful ground. In like manner, fear, ambition, and other moral infirmities often tend largely to produce suspicion and rash judgments.
What remedy can we apply? They who drink the juice of the Ethiopian herb Ophiusa imagine that they see serpents and horrors everywhere; and those who drink deep of pride, envy, ambition, hatred, will see harm and shame in every one they look upon. The first can only be cured by drinking palm wine, and so I say of these latter,--Drink freely of the sacred wine of love, and it will cure you of the evil tempers which lead you to these perverse judgments. So far from seeking out that which is evil, Love dreads meeting with it, and when such meeting is unavoidable, she shuts her eyes at the first symptom, and then in her holy simplicity she questions whether it were not merely a fantastic shadow which crossed her path rather than sin itself. Or if Love is forced to recognise the fact, she turns aside hastily, and strives to forget what she has seen. Of a truth, Love is the great healer of all ills, and of this above the rest. Everything looks yellow to a man that has the jaundice; and it is said that the only cure is through the soles of the feet. Most assuredly the sin of rash judgments is a spiritual jaundice, which makes everything look amiss to those who have it; and he who would be cured of this malady must not be content with applying remedies to his eyes or his intellect, he must attack it through the affections, which are as the soul's feet.
If your affections are warm and tender, your judgment will not be harsh; if they are loving, your judgment will be the same. Holy Scripture offers us three striking illustrations. Isaac, when in the Land of Gerar, gave out that Rebecca was his sister, but when Abimelech saw their familiarity, he at once concluded that she was his wife.A malicious mind would rather have supposed that there was some unlawful connection between them, but Abimelech took the most charitable view of the case that was possible. And so ought we always to judge our neighbour as charitably as may be; and if his actions are many-sided, we should accept the best. Again, when Saint Joseph found that the Blessed Virgin was with child, knowing her to be pure and holy, he could not believe that there was any sin in her, and he left all judgment to God, although there was strong presumptive evidence on which to condemn her. And the Holy Spirit speaks of Saint Joseph as "a just man." When a just man cannot see any excuse for what is done by a person in whose general worth he believes, he still refrains from judging him, and leaves all to God's Judgment. Again, our Crucified Saviour, while He could not wholly ignore the sin of those who Crucified Him, yet made what excuse He might for them, pleading their ignorance. And so when we cannot find any excuse for sin, let us at least claim what compassion we may for it, and impute it to the least damaging motives we can find, as ignorance or infirmity.
Are we never, then, to judge our neighbour? you ask. Never, my child. It is God Who judges criminals brought before a court of law. He uses magistrates to convey His sentence to us; they are His interpreters, and have only to proclaim His law. If they go beyond this, and are led by their own passions, then they do themselves judge, and for so doing they will be judged. It is forbidden to all men alike, as men, to judge one another.
We do not necessarily judge because we see or are conscious of something wrong. Rash judgment always presupposes something that is not clear, in spite of which we condemn another. It is not wrong to have doubts concerning a neighbour, but we ought to be very watchful lest even our doubts or suspicions be rash and hasty. A malicious person seeing Jacob kiss Rachel at the well-side,or Rebecca accepting jewels from Eleazer,a stranger, might have suspected them of levity, though falsely and unreasonably. If an action is in itself indifferent, it is a rash suspicion to imagine that it means evil, unless there is strong circumstantial evidence to prove such to be the case. And it is a rash judgment when we draw condemnatory inferences from an action which may be blameless.
Those who keep careful watch over their conscience are not often liable to form rash judgments, for just as when the clouds lower the bees make for the shelter of their hive, so really good people shrink back into themselves, and refuse to be mixed up with the clouds and fogs of their neighbour's questionable doings, and rather than meddle with others, they consecrate their energies on their own improvement and good resolutions.
No surer sign of an unprofitable life than when people give way to censoriousness and inquisitiveness into the lives of other men. Of course exception must be made as to those who are responsible for others, whether in family or public life;--to all such it becomes a matter of conscience to watch over the conduct of their fellows. Let them fulfil their duty lovingly, and let them also give heed to restrain themselves within the bounds of that duty."
Book: "Introduction to the Devout" by St. Francis De Sales
Excerpts: Part III, Chapter 28, Hasty Judgments
"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged," said the Saviour of our souls; "condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned:" and the Apostle Saint Paul, "Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, Who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts." Of a truth, hasty judgments are most displeasing to God, and men's judgments are hasty, because we are not judges one of another, and by judging we usurp our Lord's own office. Man's judgment is hasty, because the chief malice of sin lies in the intention and counsel of the heart, which is shrouded in darkness to us. Moreover, man's judgments are hasty, because each one has enough to do in judging himself, without undertaking to judge his neighbour. If we would not be judged, it behoves us alike not to judge others, and to judge ourselves. Our Lord forbids the one, His Apostle enjoins the other, saying, "If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." But alas! for the most part we precisely reverse these precepts, judging our neighbour, which is forbidden on all sides, while rarely judging ourselves, as we are told to do.
We must proceed to rectify rash judgments, according to their cause. Some hearts there are so bitter and harsh by nature, that everything turns bitter under their touch; men who, in the Prophet's words, "turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth."Such as these greatly need to be dealt with by some wise spiritual physician, for this bitterness being natural to them, it is hard to conquer; and although it be rather an imperfection than a sin, still it is very dangerous, because it gives rise to and fosters rash judgments and slander within the heart. Others there are who are guilty of rash judgments less out of a bitter spirit than from pride, supposing to exalt their own credit by disparaging that of others. These are self-sufficient, presumptuous people, who stand so high in their own conceit that they despise all else as mean and worthless.
It was the foolish Pharisee who said, "I am not as other men are." Others, again, have not quite such overt pride, but rather a lurking little satisfaction in beholding what is wrong in others, in order to appreciate more fully what they believe to be their own superiority. This satisfaction is so well concealed, so nearly imperceptible, that it requires a clear sight to discover it, and those who experience it need that it be pointed out to them. Some there are who seek to excuse and justify themselves to their own conscience, by assuming readily that others are guilty of the same faults, or as great ones, vainly imagining that the sin becomes less culpable when shared by many. Others, again, give way to rash judgments merely because they take pleasure in a philosophic analysis and dissection of their neighbours' characters; and if by ill luck they chance now and then to be right, their presumption and love of criticism strengthens almost incurably.
Then there are people whose judgment is solely formed by inclination; who always think well of those they like, and ill of those they dislike. To this, however, there is one rare exception, which nevertheless we do sometimes meet, when an excessive love provokes a false judgment concerning its object; the hideous result of a diseased, faulty, restless affection, which is in fact jealousy; an evil passion capable, as everybody knows, of condemning others of perfidy and adultery upon the most trivial and fanciful ground. In like manner, fear, ambition, and other moral infirmities often tend largely to produce suspicion and rash judgments.
What remedy can we apply? They who drink the juice of the Ethiopian herb Ophiusa imagine that they see serpents and horrors everywhere; and those who drink deep of pride, envy, ambition, hatred, will see harm and shame in every one they look upon. The first can only be cured by drinking palm wine, and so I say of these latter,--Drink freely of the sacred wine of love, and it will cure you of the evil tempers which lead you to these perverse judgments. So far from seeking out that which is evil, Love dreads meeting with it, and when such meeting is unavoidable, she shuts her eyes at the first symptom, and then in her holy simplicity she questions whether it were not merely a fantastic shadow which crossed her path rather than sin itself. Or if Love is forced to recognise the fact, she turns aside hastily, and strives to forget what she has seen. Of a truth, Love is the great healer of all ills, and of this above the rest. Everything looks yellow to a man that has the jaundice; and it is said that the only cure is through the soles of the feet. Most assuredly the sin of rash judgments is a spiritual jaundice, which makes everything look amiss to those who have it; and he who would be cured of this malady must not be content with applying remedies to his eyes or his intellect, he must attack it through the affections, which are as the soul's feet.
If your affections are warm and tender, your judgment will not be harsh; if they are loving, your judgment will be the same. Holy Scripture offers us three striking illustrations. Isaac, when in the Land of Gerar, gave out that Rebecca was his sister, but when Abimelech saw their familiarity, he at once concluded that she was his wife.A malicious mind would rather have supposed that there was some unlawful connection between them, but Abimelech took the most charitable view of the case that was possible. And so ought we always to judge our neighbour as charitably as may be; and if his actions are many-sided, we should accept the best. Again, when Saint Joseph found that the Blessed Virgin was with child, knowing her to be pure and holy, he could not believe that there was any sin in her, and he left all judgment to God, although there was strong presumptive evidence on which to condemn her. And the Holy Spirit speaks of Saint Joseph as "a just man." When a just man cannot see any excuse for what is done by a person in whose general worth he believes, he still refrains from judging him, and leaves all to God's Judgment. Again, our Crucified Saviour, while He could not wholly ignore the sin of those who Crucified Him, yet made what excuse He might for them, pleading their ignorance. And so when we cannot find any excuse for sin, let us at least claim what compassion we may for it, and impute it to the least damaging motives we can find, as ignorance or infirmity.
Are we never, then, to judge our neighbour? you ask. Never, my child. It is God Who judges criminals brought before a court of law. He uses magistrates to convey His sentence to us; they are His interpreters, and have only to proclaim His law. If they go beyond this, and are led by their own passions, then they do themselves judge, and for so doing they will be judged. It is forbidden to all men alike, as men, to judge one another.
We do not necessarily judge because we see or are conscious of something wrong. Rash judgment always presupposes something that is not clear, in spite of which we condemn another. It is not wrong to have doubts concerning a neighbour, but we ought to be very watchful lest even our doubts or suspicions be rash and hasty. A malicious person seeing Jacob kiss Rachel at the well-side,or Rebecca accepting jewels from Eleazer,a stranger, might have suspected them of levity, though falsely and unreasonably. If an action is in itself indifferent, it is a rash suspicion to imagine that it means evil, unless there is strong circumstantial evidence to prove such to be the case. And it is a rash judgment when we draw condemnatory inferences from an action which may be blameless.
Those who keep careful watch over their conscience are not often liable to form rash judgments, for just as when the clouds lower the bees make for the shelter of their hive, so really good people shrink back into themselves, and refuse to be mixed up with the clouds and fogs of their neighbour's questionable doings, and rather than meddle with others, they consecrate their energies on their own improvement and good resolutions.
No surer sign of an unprofitable life than when people give way to censoriousness and inquisitiveness into the lives of other men. Of course exception must be made as to those who are responsible for others, whether in family or public life;--to all such it becomes a matter of conscience to watch over the conduct of their fellows. Let them fulfil their duty lovingly, and let them also give heed to restrain themselves within the bounds of that duty."
YouTube video:"The Mystery of God in our Lives", by Marino Restrepo
Link to the YouTube:
https://youtu.be/XL-4Hie9xPs
Link to the YouTube:
https://youtu.be/XL-4Hie9xPs