Our duty, according to the New Testament is to spread the Good News, not assault others with our, sometimes, warped opinions
Amen, haqi. When we judge others, or even speculate as to how the Lord is judging others, we are attempting to put ourselves in the Lord's place.
For most of us, trying to be decent human beings, as we are called upon to be, consumes all of our energies. I know that it consumes mine. Who are we to spend that precious energy thinking about how others are to be judged? Of course, if there ever comes a day when I'm so perfect that I do not live in a glass house, I may change my mind <g>.
But in the meantime, while I'm perfecting myself, I find it most helpful to look at others for inspiration as to what's good about their lives.
Of course they have faults! So do I! So do thee! Of course God knows we all have minuses on the ledger. It seems to me that the essential question is "just what are those pluses ?"
Have we given of themselves to give a friend a helping hand? Have we been a voice of kindness, of support, in the middle of the night? Have we tried to be a peacemaker? Have we tried to bring light instead of darkness? Have we tried to lighten the sadness with joy? Have we tried to show hope where there is despair?
Well, when I think of certain people in light of St. Francis's beautiful prayer, I'm quite certain that they're ahead of me with regard to those plusses....
But, that's why we strive, that's what hope is for. Oh my, I've got work to do :)
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