Justin Appel
‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged.’
- Luke 6:37
Dear Friends in Christ,
In the 14th century, Saint Gregory Palamas delineated three kinds of theologians: those who have seen God’s divine light, those who have not had such direct experience but trust the saints to teach us about God, and those who do not have experience of God’s light and do not trust the saints. These three types comprise the saints themselves, good theologians, and bad theologians.
As we contemplate Jesus' message about judging others in today's Gospel lesson (Luke 6:27-38), it seems particularly important, therefore, to consider what the saints say about the subject — particularly if I am to have any chance of becoming a 'good theologian'! — since their perspective sounds wildly countercultural to my ears, and since they speak with such urgency about the subject.
To that end, I’ve compiled some sayings about judgment, largely from Eastern Christian saints (judgement is a significant theme in Orthodox spirituality) which I hope will benefit us all as we struggle along. As with all short quotes, they no doubt fail to transmit the authors' intended context. On the other hand, they are a useful shorthand way to contemplate traditional perspectives on the question.
Yours in Christ,
Justin
‘In the twilight of life, God will not judge us on our earthly possessions and human success, but rather on how much we have loved.’ Saint John of the Cross
‘Don’t criticize or judge other people — regard everyone else as an angel, justify their mistakes and weaknesses, condemn only yourself as the worst sinner. This is step one in any kind of spiritual life.’ Saint Seraphim Rose
‘If at some time you show mercy to someone, mercy will be shown to you. If you show compassion to one who is suffering (and of course, this is not a great deed) you will be numbered among the martyrs. If you forgive one who has insulted you, then not only will all your sins be forgiven, but you will be a child of the Heavenly Father. If you pray from all your heart for salvation – even a little – you will be saved. If you rebuke yourself, accuse yourself, and judge yourself before God for your sins, with a sensitive conscience, even for this you will be justified. If you are sorrowful for your sins, or you weep, or sigh, your sigh will not be hidden from Him and, as St. John Chrysostom says, “If you only lament for your sins, then He will receive this for your salvation.”’ Saint Joseph of Optina
‘Christ prayed for those that crucified Him: “Father, count not this sin against them; they know not what they do.” Archdeacon Stephen prayed for those who stoned him so that the Lord would not judge this sin against them. And so we, if we wish to retain grace, must pray for our enemies. If you do not find pity on a sinner who will suffer in flames, then you do not carry the grace of the Holy Spirit, but rather an evil spirit; and while you yet live, you must free yourself from his clutches through repentance.’ Saint Silouan the Athonite
‘Believe that others are better than you in the depths of their soul, although outwardly you may appear better than they.’ Saint Augustine of Hippo
‘Let us never judge. When we see someone committing a sin, let us pray and ask God to forgive him. If we judge the mistakes of others, it means that our spiritual sight is not yet cleansed.’ Saint Paisios of Athos
When you are ready to stand in the presence of the Lord, let your should wear a garment woven from the cloth of your forgiveness of others. Otherwise, your prayer will be of no value whatsoever.’ Saint John Climacus
'The nature of things is measured by the interior disposition of the soul; that is, the kind of person one is will determine what he thinks of others. He who has attained to genuine prayer and love no longer puts things into categories. He does not separate the righteous from sinners, but loves all equally, and does not judge them, just as God gives the sun to shine and the rain to fall both on the just and the unjust.' Saint Nikitas Stethatos in the Philokalia