Of Judgement and Mercy
Yesterday at mass I heard a very powerful homily on hudgement and mercy. The priest’s homily was focused on how we tend to “judge” in our daily lives and sometimes by doing this, we get labelled as being “judgemental” or “holier-than-thou” especially in this modern day and age. Society shuns upon people who make such “righteous judgement” on others. Even I myself at many a times have been “accused” of such sentiments by my peers or friends.
For the longest time ever it was a struggle to me. Why a struggle? Because I knew that I wasn’t so much judging about the person rather than the offence or the decision he took. But I could never explain this idea to others because I myself was not fully aware of this thought process.
The priest used the story of Jesus and the adulterar to explain this and I thought it was very poignant. While the pharasies no doubt were right in stoning the woman for the offence she commited, Jesus was able to seperate between individual and the sin. Sure she had a mistake ; she had cheated and it wasn’t like she was “wrongly accused” of doing so. But at the same time while Jesus did admonish her for her sin, he also extended mercy to her by forgiving her and holding no condemnation against her (neither do I condemn you).
That encounter is so prevalent in today’s culture isn’t it? We are told to be loving to the individual, and that if he tell the individual of his/her mistakes, we are being “harsh” or we are being “unfair” or even a “bigot” for that matter. We are accused of being narrow minded and having that “holier than thou” mentality when in actual fact we are just too corward to face facts and be honest with ourselves.
And that’s where mercy and judgement comes in and this is what the Church has always taught throughout history. The Church offers both judgement and mercy provided we are willing to be honest with ourselves and truly ask for repentence and forgiveness. God is not so much interested in punishing us as he is more in restoring us. The judgement is necessary for the purification process to start and without the purification process, how would we ever be better individuals for tomorrow?
So the next time you’re going to pass judgement on someone, remember to always isolate the individual from his/her action. The two are totally different. When you see it from that angle, it will change your perception of things.
Respect and belief
For weeks my young adults group at church were planning to to organize a talk on religious differences between Is lam and christianity, specifically educating and creating an awareness among our members on the differences between our religion and theirs. As I did not know much about the former religion, I decided to purchase a book on it, which would be fair and honest in its assessment and claims. I was recommended this book by my friend and I managed to read the entire book just in time for the discussion yesterday.
While there is much descrepencies in their religion, my thoughts for this entry is not to debate or debunk them. Everyone is and should be granted the freedom to religiously believe in their own creed. However I do think the problem arises when people confuse respect in belief.
Respect for one;s own religion does not automatically equate to belief. Doesn't mean that if I respect your religion, then I accept and believe whatever it is your religion preaches. And I think this is where the fundamental differences lies and much confusion and debate among believers themselves.
Respect and belief are verily two different things and they are certainly mutually exclusive. Hence the problem arises when people equate it to be the same ; when one religion superimposes its religious beliefs against another religion. That's when the issues start to creep in and the tensions arise.
But that's not what racial tolerance is all about. And this is where another confusion lays in society. When people talk about religion, they then begin to say things like "all religions are the same" and "all religions lead to the same path" and so own. While as nice as it sounds, making those statements are already crossing the "belief" line from the respect line. Suddenly you are equating my religion to yours, from a belief perspective and this is where it becomes a problem and gives rise to tension and hostility? Why? Because people are tempted to defend their faith, to make certain "corrections".
I think the best way to actually overcome this respect and belief paradox is to really know your own religion first. Without having a proper grasp of the authentic fundamentals that are taught in one's own religion, it gives room to debate and speculation and sadly, judgement and biasness. Knowing your own religion and living it faithfully without trying to impose it on others is a key to building a tolerant society.
Also, learning about other religions, not so much from a practice-belief scrutinizing perspective, but from a perspective of using the knowledge gained to further understand our neighbours will greatly help. Why? Because it gives us a sense of understanding as to why our neighbours do what they do. Man has always been afraid of the unknown and thus imposed upon themselves religious superstitious and folk tale to soothe their conscience, but now with books and the internet, it need not be the case anymore.
Yes sure, these things do take effort at the end of the day. After all why bother learning another religion's practices and beliefs? But I think by doing so, it allows us to really learn how to differentiate between respect and belief and that's crucial for any multicultural society to thrive.
Of empty promises and failed men
"Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be" - St. Peter assuring Jesus when the Christ fortells them of what is about to happen to Him
"...this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times" - Jesus' reply to Peter. (Matthew 26:34)
Today's gospel reading at mass commemorates the triumphal entry of the Christ into Jerusalem and a week later, his passion and death. Although I have listened to the narrative gospel on how Christ was betrayed, suffered and eventually executed for his "deeds" it doesn't fail to leave a sorrowful impression on me on how frail we are as human beings.
The readings reminded me of how I too, at times would praise Jesus when things are looking good and shouting with all my heart "Hosanna in the highest!". And even when I do ask for God to help me in my struggles and problems, like Peter, I too sometimes make promises which I can't keep to the Lord.
The saddest part I guess would be when God does live out to the "other side" of the bargain whereas I don't. Why? Well it's because of sin, and because of my focus to get what I want and use all my bargaining prowess to strike a bargain with God, sometimes once I get what I want, I just conveniently forget what my end of the deal was.
And like Peter, when it comes to my senses ; when I do eventually realise that I had not lived up to my end of the bargain, or that I made a promise to our Lord and I had violated my promise, I too end up weeping and feeling pathetic about myself.
But here in lies the difference between Judas and Peter. While both felt remorsed about their actions, both chose two different resolutions to come to terms with their guilt. One chose repentance and the other chose suicide. One chose God's forgiveness, the other chose to take matters into his own hands. One believed in god, the other doubted God's mercy.
The question therefore isn't so much about our own failed weaknesses or even so much our empty promises. Human beings being flawed creatures will always make mistakes. However, I believe that is where God's strength will make up for it. (2 Cor 12:9). The question is would we allow ourselves to be forgiven by God? And if we do, our we sincere about it? Because presupposing God's grace to me is also a sin. We can't and should not take God's mercy for granted.
It's no doubt tough to be his disciples and to make promises to Him which we can't keep. However, as St. Paul reminds us - "My grace is sufficient for you"
