Many themes come together this week in the Sunday of Last Judgment.
Perhaps, the one that stands out the most to me personally is the difference between my judgment and God’s mercy and judgement. From our prior weeks together, I see in the example of both the Pharisee and the elder son the separation (and sin) that occurs when I impose my judgment on God and elevate my judgement over His. I also see in the examples of the Publican and younger son; God’s ceaseless merciful desire for a communion of Love with those of us who can accept the reality of our desperate need for Him as we release our judgement(s) and experience His mercy.
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Luke 6:37
How can I be ‘right-sized’ as the creature and He as the Creator if I lose this perspective on judgment? And in this desire I have for self-reliance and self-sufficiency, am I not separating myself from the life that is only available in Him.
Is there any ceiling to this repentant possibility of releasing what is truly false in me (from distorting the reality of myself as wholly dependent on Him) and discovering what is true in Him?
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy way acknowledge Him, and He shall direct they paths
Proverbs 3:5 – 7
And what more poignant message than this parable of the Last Judgment to make clear the danger of elevating my judgement above God’s.
Perhaps, from this theme of judgement we are lead with new resolve into humility and mercy. Father Thomas Hopko describes humility as ‘seeing reality as it is in God’. What does my response to the message of the Last Judgement tell me about where I stand in humility and being right-sized in the way I relate myself to God? Am I willing to accept God’s mercy as essential in this daily practice of repentance? Is my preparation for Lent teaching me to open my heart to God‘s mercy and the needs of those I encounter each day?
Perhaps , we can hear the many chants of ‘Lord have mercy’ differently this Sunday. Perhaps , my chants can be a bit more of an intense expression of my heart yearning for what only He can do in my life.
This week I’ve chosen just two of our readings for the class to focus on. I’ve intentionally reduced our focus to hopefully allow us to deepen the time we spend on discussion and reflection:
Great Lent & Last Judgment – Father Alexander Schmemann
Our Heart Condition & Last Judgement – Father Symeon Lev
Here were the other postings this week that are useful background for the class but I will (in an effort to save trees) not print these out for the class.
St John’s Adult Education 