Posted on 08/24/2016 10:43:31 AM PDT by Gamecock
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Stop being judgmental hypocrites and take a look at yourself in the mirror — without covering up your wrinkles — Pope Francis advised Catholics in a sermon that reprised one of his favorite themes.
In his last homily at morning Mass before taking a break for the summer, Francis on Monday (June 20) said those who constantly judge people should instead reflect on their own behavior.
“Look in the mirror, but not to put on makeup to hide the wrinkles. No, no, no, that’s not the advice! Look in the mirror to look at yourself as you are,” the pope said, in a report by Vatican Radio.
“How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is still in your eye?” he continued. “And how does the Lord look at us then, when we do this? One word: ‘hypocrite.’ First take the log out of your eye, and then you shall see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.'”
Vatican Radio usually has a reporter present at the pontiff’s daily morning Mass in the small chapel at the Vatican guest house where Francis lives. The pope will continue to celebrate Mass daily as usual, but without coverage of his remarks.
In this latest homily, the pope said those who are overly critical of others rather than looking at themselves are viewed as hypocrites by the Lord, and should not try and take God’s place:
“Being judgmental is very ugly. Judgment belongs only to God, to Him alone!”
The pontiff instead urged his followers to focus on love, understanding and mercy — the latter being the theme of the Catholic Church’s current Holy Year jubilee.
His comments continue a central theme of his papacy, during which Francis has promoted a pastoral approach to Catholicism rather than the unforgiving imposition of canon law.
While such an approach has been widely praised, the pope has also been accused by traditionalists of trying to water down church doctrine.
Francis is famous — and controversial, to some — for once saying, in reply to a question on whether gay men could become priests, “Who am I to judge?”
On second look, that’s not even my post.
FUPF
If he is wrong it follows he is fallible.
I guess it depends on your own private interpretation of what the Pope said.
Were I were a catholic I’d swear the Pope is insane as illary and obummer! As a Jew just saying.
Matthew was a tax collector. To many, a thief.
If Jesus came back to earth now, do you think he’d head to churches, or to bars?
Judgement, discernment, and discrimination are survival traits. Christianity is not a suicide pact. In fact, suicide is a mortal sit.
So yes, we get to judge others. We don’t get assign them Heaven or Hell, but we sure as heck do get to decide how to react to them.
Or in their mouths, which in Mr. Popester's case is pretty foul.
"Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?... And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?... Do you not know that we shall judge angels?... How much more, things that pertain to this life?.. If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge ? (1 Corinthians 6:1-5).
Many commands of God require the exercise of righteous judgment.
"But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us" (2 Thessalonians 3:6).
"And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother" (2 Thessalonians 3:14,15).
"Teach and exhort these things. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wrangling of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself" (2 Timothy 6:2b-5).
"Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple" (Romans 16:17,18).
All these commands require the careful exercise of righteousness judgment. Do not be deceived by smooth words and flattering speech. Beware of wolves who come to you with a sheep's skin.
We must be careful not to make unqualified judgments. But we must judge appropriately when commanded to do so.
"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." (John 7:24). with ignorance after all.
Details...
Who wants to be like Him?
I read somewhere that there were some noble Bereans that JUDGED what they were TOLD against what the SCRIPTURES said.
I've ALSO heard that there is a VERY large religious organization that does not LIKE being checked against the Scriptures.
Yes! I think the heathens' favorite Bible verse must be "Judge not lest ye be judged." (Matthew 7:1, maybe HKJV?)
A few months ago, I saw a meme with a fitting response:
"Quote not the Scriptures out of context, lest ye be like Satan."
Words of wisdom.
Well, the religious killings of the day were ecumenical.
I live for many years in the Rhineland Pfalz region of Germany. Almost every town and village was wiped out during the 100 Years War. Protestant kings like Carl Gustav of Sweden and various German aristocrats killed Catholics; Catholic kings like Charles V and other German aristocrats killed Protestants. Eventually the land became so depopulated that wolves and other animals made a comeback there.
England under King Henry the VII prosecuted and murdered English Catholics, and when he died his daughter Mary did the same to English Protestants. Then Elizabeth took over and kept the anti-Catholic law, but at least didn't kill them! Instead England invaded Ireland and persecuted Irish Catholics until just this past century. The Spanish had the Inquisition, but mostly to root our Muslims and Jews. And of course, you mention the Huguenots.
Way too much killing and persecuting during those times, on two sides both claiming to represent Jesus, who said to turn our cheeks to out enemies rather than strike them back!
I see what you did there.
So Frankie is being judgmental of his own flock?
2 Thess 2:10-12
They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. NIV
Large / Small - lots of that going around in the apostate emergent "church".
I think thatvis part of his job description.
It's only Catholic doctrine that's binding, not papal opinion.
In my girlhood, popes wisely refrained from spouting off on their person perspectives. That holy reticence has, unfortunately, waned in recent years.
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