Greetings on this the Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Genesis 12:1-9; Psalm 33:12-13, 18-19, 20 and 22; Matthew 7:1-5
Summary
“Stop judging, that you may not be judged (MT7:1).
This is not a prohibition against recognizing the faults of others, which would be hardly compatible with Mt 7:5, 6 but against passing judgment in a spirit of arrogance, forgetful of one’s own faults (NABRE Commentary on MT 7:1).
Anti-Arrogance Prayer
Eternal Father, you give us life despite our guilt and even add days and years to our lives in order to bring us wisdom. Make us love and obey you, so that the works of our hands may always display what your hands have done, until the day we gaze upon the beauty of your face.
- Liturgy of the Hours, Monday, Week IV, the Psalmody of Praise, the Psalm-prayer.
Positive Action
You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye (MT 7:5). [Instead our American values are contrary to war] I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing (Gen 12:2).
Just War Theology
Reflection
War is the ultimate hypocritical judgment. War is a movement away from God. In the case of a preemptive strike and the guiding morality behind them we have applied questionable reasoning. Is there any more important assessment then the decision to wage war? Is there a higher standard for judging the sexual preferences of a homosexual then the lives and self-determination of an entire nation?
Personal Reflection
Examples
- Russia and the United States failed to honor treaties and security guarantees for Ukraine.
- Iran pre-denuclearized by treaty (JCPOA agreement) which the United States later withdrew from.
The Wooden Beams
- We failed to protect Ukraine which we obliged ourselves to do.
- We failed to keep effective the nuclear limiting programs in Iran.
A Priori – A Posteriori Divide
An interesting article on war dialog within the military community link below. He hits upon some very important dialog but has presupposed a few things. Mainly, the myth assessment of truth and aggression are a priori (requiring no evidence in the forming of judgment) disguised as properly formed a posteriori conclusions. Nevertheless, the remaining points are good: https://www.ausa.org/articles/assumptions-confuse-moral-judgments-war
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062325.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry