How God Judges Us

How God Judges Us

Eileen Renders

I believe it is fair to say how we all think about our Judgment and where it will be determined that we are sent to remain for all eternity. Often, we may wonder why we did not begin earlier in our lives to dedicate our lives to God. Possibly, we all believe that we, might have done better. How will our Creator decide what we might receive, a reward, or a punishment?

Being human, we realize that we are not all destined to become Saints. Many Saints were derailed in their lives; they sinned before they found their way. The only known female Disciple was Mary Magdalene, who had been a prostitute. The Apostle Thomas doubted Jesus’ return to life. Judas turned Christ over to the Romans for 30 silver pieces before regretting and hanging himself. Peter denied Jesus three times.

Saint Francis was not always a Saint, and he shamed James and the leper out of his insecurity and fear. The would-be Saint then went to both men and apologized, asked forgiveness, and made amends,

Pope Francis stated, “Saints are honored not because they were perfect, but because they allowed God to touch their lives, and fought hard against sin.” Many Saints were sinners before becoming Saints.

However, it is not our place to judge others, commenting on their sins, believing they are worse sinners than us. Pope Francis emphasized the importance of self-reflection and mercy, not omnipotence, and that we should look in the mirror before judging others. God wants us to see the good in others while we work to correct ourselves. One who judges puts himself in God’s place and thus faces certain defeat in life because he’ll be paid back in kind. Judging others was one of the acts of the legal experts whom Jesus called “hypocrites.” What’s more, the Bishop of Rome continued, “defeat goes even further, because one who judges always makes accusations.” When there is a defender, there is also an accuser. The Pope explained that “in the Bible the accuser is called the devil, Satan.”

How then will we be judged? Pope Francis concluded his message to us dated Monday, June 23, 2014 in saying this, “Lord, grant us the grace to imitate Jesus the intercessor, defender and lawyer for us and for others.”  

Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Living with love for our neighbor, fighting against sin is how many sinners became Saints. Judge not lest ye be judged!