Reflection for June 23 Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:1-5

Gospel: Matthew 7:1-5

Jesus said to his disciples: “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. 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 eye?  

How can you say to your brother ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye, while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.

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Reflection:

What do we truly gain by judging others? 

Nothing—except the burden of hatred slowly building in our hearts. And if this is not corrected through humility, it can lead to inner unrest, emotional sickness, or even physical illness. Hatred festers quietly, yet it can destroy us deeply. 

But what if we choose not to judge—or at least, are not quick to judge? Then peace will reign within. Our hearts will be lighter, our faces more radiant with grace. Even our bodies may be spared the stress that judgment often brings. We may not realize it, but freedom from judgment brings freedom of the soul. It allows us to live with joy and compassion, not bitterness or comparison. 

Why are we often quick to judge others? It is because we unconsciously place ourselves above others. We believe we know better, act better, or are better. This sense of superiority takes root when God is no longer the center of our hearts. When we remove Him from His rightful place, pride slips in and convinces us that we are better than our neighbor. 

But why should we feel superior when we are all created in the image and likeness of God? Where does this feeling come from? It comes from our failure to let God dwell in us permanently. His absence creates a void, and that void is often filled with ego, pride, and judgment. 

There is a story of a woman who was very active in her parish church. She was always present, always involved. Yet many avoided her—not because she wasn’t devout, but because she was harsh, judgmental, and self-righteous. She looked down on others and thought too highly of herself. 

And if we’re honest, aren’t we sometimes the same? Quick to criticize, slow to understand? Full of pride, yet blind to our own faults? 

In the Gospel for this Monday, Jesus speaks plainly: “Stop judging.” Why? Because when we judge, we separate ourselves from the person we judge. We put up walls instead of building bridges. We close our hearts instead of opening them. And when we do this, how can others feel the warmth of Jesus through us? How can we help lead them to His love, if we have already condemned them in our hearts? 

Let us ask the Lord to purify our thoughts. May we learn to see others with His eyes—eyes of mercy, compassion, and love. Instead of judgment, may we offer understanding. Instead of condemnation, may we extend forgiveness and love. Only then can the light of Christ shine through us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas