Monday, March 13, 2017

Monday of the Second Week of Lent

(Daniel 9:4b-10; Luke 6:36-38)

The Myers-Briggs Personality Indicator has been used for decades to help us better understand ourselves.  It operates by people taking a test which measures their different personality types in terms of opposites.  One is evaluated as introvert or extrovert, thinking or feeling, sensate or intuitive, and judging or perceiving.  We may want to ask whether a judging person can abide by Jesus’ commands in today’s gospel.

In a sense no one can stop judging.  People have to make decisions which require an assessment or judgment of the reality which they confront.  When Jesus says to his disciples that they are to “be merciful” and to “stop judging,” he wants them to take good care before criticizing others.  Judging types should become more perceptive and perceiving types should consider the numerous factors which limit perfection.  Most importantly, Jesus wants his followers to forgive one another so that they may work together on behalf of God’s kingdom.  Brewing resentment will impede the pursuit of justice and peace.


We all want due consideration for ourselves when we are being judged.  We should not deny it to others.  If we are to live in a society where all can develop their potential, then we must allow people to learn by recovering from their mistakes.  When we do so, we not only allow ourselves some slack when needed, but we also imitate our merciful Father.