Episode 15: Anatomy of a wound | Part 4
Bob and Jake continue the series on the anatomy of a wound and discuss judgements which are a type of belief that distort our perceptions of others and become a barrier to love.
Show Notes
Guiding Scripture
“Stop judging that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged. And the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.” (Matt 7:1-3)
Key Points
Bob shares about a hurricane he experienced with his family
Understanding the different kinds of beliefs and vows aid in our response to woundedness and ultimately the healing process
“Now – and this is daunting – this outpouring of mercy cannot penetrate our hearts as long as we have not forgiven those who have trespassed against us. Love, like the Body of Christ, is indivisible; we cannot love the God we cannot see if we do not love the brother or sister we do see.1 In refusing to forgive our brothers and sisters, our hearts are closed and their hardness makes them impervious to the Father’s merciful love; but in confessing our sins, our hearts are opened to his grace.” (CCC 2840)
We can make judgements about good and evil - this is a holy judgement
It’s not good to judge from a place of self-righteousness
We often need to work through identity lies before judgements
Judgements can cause us to feel justified in disregarding someone
“Thus the Lord’s words on forgiveness, the love that loves to the end, become a living reality. The parable of the merciless servant, which crowns the Lord’s teaching on ecclesial communion, ends with these words: “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” It is there, in fact, “in the depths of the heart,” that everything is bound and loosed. It is not in our power not to feel or to forget an offence; but the heart that offers itself to the Holy Spirit turns injury into compassion and purifies the memory in transforming the hurt into intercession.” (CCC 2843)
Practical Application
Since lies can block forgiveness, if you are struggling to forgive someone, reflect on what you believe will happen if you forgive? Notice what you believe (or will believe) about yourself if you forgive.
Ask yourself and the Holy Spirit: “Where have I stepped out of love in judgement? Why am I protecting myself?”
In this season of political tension, reflect on how and whom you’ve judged and condemned. Repent of what is not of God.
Think about an important relationship you have with someone. Reflect on where you have moved from love to unholy judgment? How has that changed the way you see them and relate to them? Turn to Jesus in repentance. If the person you judged is safe, ask them for forgiveness as well.
