Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

New DeSales World Newsletter - Summer Edition

2nd Sunday of Advent (December 9, 2007)

Suggested Emphasis

“Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide. Rather, he shall judge…with justice.”

Salesian Perspective

The selection from the book of the prophet Isaiah is filled with promise and hope: a hope rooted in the promise that God is just, that God does not play favorites. This promise is embodied in Jesus, the Savior imbued with the spirit of God, a spirit of wisdom and understanding. The hope is that this same Spirit who so clearly animated the ministry of Jesus will likewise fill us with the gifts of wisdom and understanding.

These divine gifts of wisdom and understanding do not come cheaply: in fact, with them come great expectations, one being that we judge others ‘not by appearance or hearsay, but with justice.’ Put another way, followers of Jesus –– sons and daughters of the Creating, Redeeming and Inspiring God - do not judge rashly.

St. Francis de Sales wrote in his Introduction to the Devout Life: “How offensive to God is rash judgment. It is a kind of spiritual jaundice that causes all things to appear evil to the eyes of those infected with it.” (IDL, Part 3, Chapter 28)

Rash judgments seldom –– if ever –– deal with the facts. Rash judgments rely upon appearance, impression, hearsay and gossip. Rash judgments are likewise made in an instant (hence the idea of ‘snap’ judgments) and are generally based on emotion, not reason.

Rash judgments have far less to do with the behaviors of our neighbor and a great deal more to do with the machinations and moods of our own hearts. Our rash judgments of others may simply reveal something of our own arrogance, self-absorption, fear, bitterness, jealousy, resentment, hatred, envy and condescension.

It is only when we judge one another justly that we can hope to truly “live in perfect harmony with one another according to the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” Promoting and preserving relationships with “patience and encouragement” is only possible if we rid ourselves of the “jaundice” of rash judgment.

Francis de Sales wrote: “Whoever wants to be cured (of rash judgment) must apply remedies not to the eyes or intellect but to the affections. If your affections are kind, your judgments will be likewise.” (Ibid)

To grow in wisdom and understanding requires that our judgments of one another be righteous: based in fact, not fiction: rooted in sensibility, not suspicion; focused on behavior, not bias. Our judgments must be conceived in truth, committed to justice, and characterized by compassion.

Rev. Michael S. Murray, OSFS, is the Executive Director of the De Sales Spirituality Center.