A Sunday Thought About How and Why We Must Not Judge Others Rashly From That 16th Century Abbot

We're back with our 16th century abbot on this summer Sunday. He'll teach us about the nature of and need to forsake rash judgement.

Our reading of this venerable abbot's writings comes to us in the dead of summer, of course. July scooted away this past week. August has taken its place. We begin by now to notice the shortening of the days. We've not given up on summer by any means, but the switch to shorter days/longer nights has perceptively begun.

For those of us who aren't raving fans of heat and summer light, the change is welcome. Then again, August can bring its own version HHH (heat, haze, humidity) with a vengeance. So hold on. Summer's by no means done.

Too much focus on weather can't be good for us. Okay, we likely all have our preferences. But the fact is, the weather comes as part of God's Plan for us at this moment in time. Like it or not, He's got His reasons for permitting what may be oppressive, even dangerous, for some of us. It's best to forego thinking too much about it.

Another matter, far more important, for us to forego: Rash Judgment. While all of us may not indulge in what can be - depending on the nature and degree of it - a very serious sin, the tendency to judge does appear a common thread that binds us creatures. This somewhat less offensive practice, if it becomes habit, can open the door to rash judgment - something to guard against.

The Abbot will show us why this is so important.

    “Cast out all unworthy suspicions and rash judgments; learn to think well of all. We are but men; we may easily be mistaken. God alone knows the heart. Give not credit lightly or rashly to what is said in blame of others. It is better to think that the words may perhaps be false, than to believe them too readily. If the care of others is committed to thee, be watchful; and although thou mayest sometimes fear that some evil lies hidden where no evil exists, yet thou must never let thy suspicion fix itself where thou art not certain. And if an unseasonable suspicion intrudes itself violently into thy mind, consent not to it, but strive against it. He who readily thinks evil of others is truly miserable, and can seldom be at peace.

    “Those things which are not manifest offences against God, and of which thou art not sure, accustom thyself to interpret in the best sense. If anyone has sinned, sympathize with him, and with pity excuse him to thyself. Recall to mind how frail is the nature of man, and how prone to fall. Consider that it has come to pass through some slight negligence, or by the vehement impulse of temptation; and say with thyself, ‘If I had been pressed by such circumstances, I should perhaps have fallen into more grievous and enormous sins. Turn the eyes of thy mind on thyself. Consider the sins of thy brother to be, as it were, a little mote, but thy own to be like a huge beam, because of thy intolerable ingratitude towards God. With humility beseech the Most High to forgive both thy own and thy brother’s sins.” - Abbot Blosius, O.S.B. (1506-1566)

Isn't it always striking how the same temptations and sins beset us century after century. And isn't it remarkable that one who lived over 500 years ago understands not only the temptation, the sin, but also the human psychology that causes us to be drawn to it.

Happy Sunday!