Don't Scratch That Itch! Of Avoiding Rash Judgment

Think of you best mosquito bite.  The one you had when you were ten, and just had to itch it.  You itched it so much that you broke skin and it got all bloody and scabbed over.  But it really felt good to do it, didn't it?  Even when you knew what the result would be.

When we see a defect in others, it is similarly compelling, in that we just have to do something about it!  Thomas tells us to look to our own defects rather than wasting time correcting others...this is because we look through the lens of self-love rather than God's love.  Read on....and listen to the song at the end for some new perspective from Elvis.

Chapter 14 OF AVOIDING RASH JUDGMENT.


Turn your eyes back upon yourself and see that you do not judge the actions of others.


In judging others a man labors in vain; for the most part he is mistaken and he easily sins by doing so; but by judging and scrutinizing himself, he always labors with profit.


We often judge a thing according to how it has impacted our heart; true judgment is easily lost through such private affection.


If God were always the only object of our desire, we would not easily be disturbed because our own opinions are being resisted.

We often approve actions or thoughts of our own, but if the same action or thought is done by another.  Well, it's just wrong!  We are unaware of our own flaws but easily pick these same flaws out in others.  Furthermore, sometimes we take charitable action on a matter but really are doing such things for self-gain.

 2. But oftentimes there is some tendency lying hid within us, or occurring from without, that draws us along with it.


Many secretly seek themselves in what they do, and are not aware of it.

Too often a difference of feelings and opinions gives rise to dissensions between friends and fellow-citizens, between religious and devout persons.

 In this last paragraph, Thomas tells us to realign our daily habits if we want to find true charity.  Turning my will into God's Will is just fooling myself. We rationalize everything that is questionable, don't we?  Instead, I must seek His Will and break out of my barriers to adopt this new Habit.

3. An established habit is only relinquished with difficulty, and none are willingly led beyond their own views.

If you rely more on your own reason or industry than on the subduing virtue of Jesus Christ, you will seldom and with difficulty become an enlightened man.

For God wills us to become perfectly subject to Himself, and by the love that burns in us to transcend all reason.

Next time we'll talk about Charitible Works.

timUntil next time, thanks for reading and praying along with me today! 

More Temptations: Pappa Was A Rollin' Stone

In continuing to look at temptation, good Thomas examines how these temptations are laid out.  He examines the person who is ungrounded in prayer, or one who lacks confidence in what God can do in a situation of temptation. We will look at two saints and see what they practiced.  Thomas says that while we are all tempted, those of us who are grounded in prayer and faith stand a better chance than those of a fickle mind and conscience.  This reminded me of another Temptations song:  "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone."  Give it a listen while you read below and discover that temptation discovers who we are.

4. A fickle mind and low confidence in God is the beginning of all evil temptations.

For as a ship without a rudder is tossed to and fro by the waves, so the man who is remiss, and who quits his resolutions, is tempted in many ways.


Fire tries iron, and temptation tries a just man.


We often do not know what we can do but temptation discovers what we are.


However, we must be watchful, especially in the beginning of temptation, because then the enemy is easier overcome, if he is not suffered to come in at all at the door of the soul, but is keep out and resisted at his first knock.


From there a certain man said: “Withstand the beginning, after- remedies come too late.”


For first there comes into the mind a bare, simple thought; then a strong imagination; afterwards delight, and evil motion and then consent.


And so, little by little, the wicked enemy gains full entrance when he is not resisted in the beginning.


The slower we are in resisting temptation, the weaker one becomes daily, and the enemy becomes stronger.

As you read this next section, think of Mother Theresa, who was said to have had tremendous temptations and emptiness later in her life:  in other words, no consolation of God's grace.  The temptation to deny Him is the worst of temptations.  And so Thomas' counsel to pray more and not despair was Mother Teresa's answer.

5. Some suffer awful temptations in the beginning of their conversion, others in the end; and some are much troubled nearly their whole life.

6. We must not, therefore, despair when we are tempted, but more fervently pray for God to grant us help in every tribulation: who no doubt, according to the sayings of St. Paul, will make such issue with the temptation, that we may be able to sustain it (1 Cor 10:13).

Let us humble our souls under the hand of God in every temptation and tribulation; for the humble in spirit He will save and exalt.
 

St Therese of Lisieux

7. In temptations and tribulations you are proved as to what progress you have made; and in these there is great merit, and your virtue appears more evident.

Nor is it much if you are devout and fervent when you feel no trouble; but if in the time of adversity you bear up with patience, then there is hope of great advancement.

Some of you are preserved from great temptations and are often overcome in little daily ones; that, being humbled, you may never presume on yourselves in great things, who are weak in such small things.

Going out on a high note, listen to My Girl, where the Temptations elicit a wholesome love, even noting that riches mean nothing compared with "my girl".
Or, if you're tired of Temptations, try "Oh Lord, I'm on my way.." where Porgy, who really has plenty o' nuthin' heads into the Promised Land.

Next time, we will look at Chapter 14:
ON AVOIDING RASH JUDGMENT.


Until Next Time,
Thanks for reading and praying along with me.
tim
*No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.