Slideshow image

We live in a culture that encourages us to judge others, to diss them, to cancel them, to make it clear why we’re right and they are wrong. On the other hand, we know that Jesus told us “judge not, lest you be judged.” ( Matthew 7:1-3)  We find that very hard to live by. Christ’s instruction was also hard for the men and women who retreated to the deserts of Egypt in the 4th century. As the first monks, they were trying to simplify and purify their lives by giving up everything, including material wealth and sinning ways. But what should they do when they found a fellow monk sinning?

Here is a famous story told about Abba Moses the Black. (Abba means father in Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke). He was greatly respected among the desert fathers and mothers. He lived in the monastic community of Scetis, in the Egyptian desert.

In Scetis, a monk was once found guilty. They assembled the brothers, and sent a message to Moses telling him to come. But he would not come. Then the Presbyter sent again saying, “Come, for the gathering of monks is waiting for you.” Moses got up and went. He took with him an old basket, which he filled with sand and carried on his back. They went to meet him and said, “what does this mean, Abba?” He said, “My sins run out behind me and I do not see them, and I have come here today to judge another.” They listened to him and said no more to the brother who had sinned, but forgave him.

What do you think of these ancient words? Do we judge others so we can ignore our own faults, even deny that we have any? If we were more modest and ready to admit that we are not perfect, would we be so ready to judge others, who are equally imperfect? 

 

Peace be with you.

 

-Rev. Stephen Milton, Lawrence Park Community Church, Toronto

 

Source: The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks, (London, 2003), p.85.

 

 

If you would like to subscribe to this series, please contact stephen@lawrenceparkchurch.ca