Judgment

20 Oct

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,
who will judge the living and the dead,
and by his appearing and his kingly power:
proclaim the word;
be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient;
convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.  (2 Tm 4:1-2)

Night Court.  People’s Court.  Judge Alex.  Judge Matthew.  Judge Judy.

We seem to have a fascination — and a preoccupation — with judges.

Television shows abound that show different judges in their settings, doling out justice in half-hour segments.

We view the material as entertainment.

However, there is a much more serious side to the nature of judging that we need to keep in mind:  our own particular judgment by our own particular judge — Jesus Christ — at the end of our days.

That judgment will be crucial to each and every one of us.  It is a judgment for which we must be prepared.

It is not something that we can dodge or somehow have postponed.

It will take place at the moment that our Lord calls us to Himself.

The readings today speak about judgment.  They also speak about faith.

We will be judged by how we act upon our faith.

The last sentence of today’s Gospel, then, gives us pause to consider our own lives:  “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

We can lose ourselves in the entertainment of television judges.  However, we must face up to the fact that we will have to give an accounting of ourselves before God.

Are you ready for that particular court date?

FAITH ACTION:  In silence, ask God to show you the areas in your life where your faith is weak.  Ask Him to give you the grace and the courage that you need to improve.