Devotion of the day: beware of rash judgments

They are real sins. Judgment is said to be reckless when it is made without foundation and without necessity. Although it is something completely hidden in our mind, Jesus forbade it: Nolite iudicare. Don't judge others; and a penalty was added to you: The judgment used with others will be used with you (Matth. VII, 2). Jesus is the Judge of hearts and intentions. Steal the rights of God, says St. Bernard, whoever judges rashly. How many times do you do it, and don't think about the sin you commit.

Hence such judgments arise. When you see a person doing an indifferent or apparently unrighteous work, why don't you excuse him? Why do you think immediately wrong? Why do you condemn it? Is it not perhaps out of malice, out of envy, out of hatred, out of pride, out of levity, out of an outburst of a passion? Charity says: Pity even the guilty ones, because you can do worse!… You, then, are without charity?

Damage of reckless judgments. If no advantage comes to one who judges unjustly, it is certain that he incurs two damages: One for himself to the Divine Tribunal, which is written: Wait for a judgment without mercy who did not use it with others (Jac. Il, 13). The other is for the neighbor, because it rarely happens that the judgment does not manifest itself; and then, with the murmuring honor is stolen, the fame of others recklessly ... enormous damage. What a debt of conscience for those who cause it!

PRACTICE. - Meditate on whether you think good or bad about others. A Pater for those who have harmed with rash judgments.