How do we go about our days without feeling judged or casting a judging thought?  Do I answer a question or act in light of how I think someone will think of me?  In today’s Gospel, Herod really didn’t want to kill John the Baptist but he told the daughter of his wife Herodiaus she could have anything because of the dance she performed for him and his guests.

“because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison.”  Exert Matthew 14:1-12

Seriously, he cut off John’s head to save face with his guests?  I understand standing by your word, but in this case it was extremely wrong.  I don’t know what people expect of me and I’m just as bad placing expectations on others.  It is a constant battle to keep my mouth and mind thinking charitably towards everyone.  There’s a lot I don’t know about what goes on in situations or in a person’s head and so have NO platform to judge; I would expect others cannot read or know everything going on with me to judge what they only see.  But I do know there is one who will judge because he knows and sees ALL as it occurs!

Yet judging comes easily.  Not in physical killings, but in mental thoughts.  I believe our world would lose three-quarters of it’s population if thoughts and little jabs could kill.  My friend laughed last night when I started to “kill” someone with a comment and caught myself.  “That costs me only 1/2 a point because I thought it but didn’t say it” I told her.  But there the judging was, and I regret I had the thought; also, regret it became a joke.  Actually it’s a sad thing.

Lord Jesus, help me to stop killing people with my thoughts and silent judging.  Help them to not judge me.  We are a society that often blurts things out first and thinks later.  Some things can’t be taken back and people are really hurt.  Slow me down Lord to weigh my words and actions and to be like you.  Help me to monitor how often I do this and then go to you in repentance and ask for forgiveness.  Seventy times seven  … O Lord, have mercy on me and on the whole world.