Do Not Judge
The Fathers teach us that nothing is more serious than judging your neighbour. Despite this, such a serious evil is committed even for things, let’s say, of little seriousness.
It all begins with vague suspicions and thoughts like this: ‘What does it matter if I hear what so-and-so is saying? What harm is there in going to see what that person is up to?’ The mind quickly forgets its own sins and becomes all the time more interested in the actions of others. This results in rash judgments, slander, contempt. In the end the mind falls into the same sins that it condemns in others.
When someone ceases to worry about his own sins and, as the Fathers say, ‘is not concerned about his death,’ it is absolutely impossible for him to be corrected. Such a person does nothing but stick his nose into his neighbour’s affairs. And nothing annoys God so much or makes people so miserable as speaking evil of one’s neighbour and judging him.
There is a difference between speaking evil of one’s neighbour and judging him.
Speaking evil means saying, for instance, ‘So-and-so has told a lie; he has lost his temper; he has committed fornication,’ or something of the sort. The neighbour’s sin is exposed on the spur of the moment.
Judging, on the other hand, means saying: ‘So-and-so is a liar; he is bad-tempered; he is a fornicator.’ The permanent disposition of his soul is under judgment, his whole life is being judged, and this is indeed serious.
Dorotheus of Gaza
Teachings, 6 (SC92, pp.269ff.)
Pure like Susanna
Has so-and-so slandered you? Don’t give in to hatred. If you hate the slanderer, you are hating a person and therefore breaking the commandment to love. The evil done with words you are now doing by your deeds. On the other hand, if you keep the commandments, you are helping the other as much as you can to become free from this sin.
Nothing causes as much suffering as to be slandered in regard to one’s faith or one’s behaviour. It is impossible to remain indifferent, unless you are like Susanna who in her purity turned her gaze on God, who alone can free us from slander, demonstrate our innocence and cheer the soul with hope.
The more you pray with all your heart for the one who has slandered you, the more readily God reveals the truth to those whom the slander has scandalized.
But you, in your turn, take good care not to compromise the good reputation of a brother or sister by letting slip hurtful comparisons in your conversation. The result of those unkind words is bound to be an unconscious but unyielding grudge against them.
Praise that brother or sister, praise them in public. And pray sincerely for them as for yourself. Very soon then you will be free of this dislike.
Maximus the Confessor
Centuries on Charity, 4, 83ff. (SC9, pp.158ff.)
~ Thomas Spidlik, Drinking from the Hidden Fountain, A Patristic Breviary: Ancient Wisdom for Today’s World
