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.
