About two weeks ago I was sitting before Mass with a group of high schoolers from one of the youth groups I am apart of. As we quietly awaited for Mass to begin I over heard two senior girls begin to sounds disgusted at something. From my prayerful state I leaned in to listen to what had made them grown so miserable. The one girl began by saying and unfortunately I quote: "Oh my God what is she doing here?" I looked towards the side entrance and in came a young girl with her mother, most likely a classmate of theirs. The other girl, just as taken back by the sight of this girl at Church, replied back to her friend with "I know right? I cant believe she's here."
Now i pride myself on not being an overbearing, super scary, Jesus Freak, nor do I get worked up over much of how people respond to their faith as long as their seeking out a deeper relationship with the Lord. I leaned in and asked if everything was OK? Both girls shot back that that girl was not a the "Churchy-type" and "they can't believe she is here." I looked at them, a bit saddened and all together disappointed at what I had heard.
Now there were two parts to this that really chapped my tuckus. The first item was that these girls were judging a classmate openly while in Church and secondly, these girls claimed that this young girl is not the "Churchy-type."
After Mass I pulled the girls aside while we were getting food before youth group and told them (and I paraphrase):
It's not our place to judge anyone in our lives and we all often forget that. We're quick to judge someone for something we've heard, seen, etc, yet we don't like it when people do the same about us, so it's not fair to do it to someone else. There is only one person that can judge...and you're not Him. As for her not being of the "Churchy-type," I think we've forgotten the example Christ live for us. We see so often in Scripture JC hanging out with the sick, the beggars, the lost, the weirdos and wackos. He was such a righteous and loving man that He calls us to accept and love all people, especially those we hate, judge or can't stand. So if this girl for whatever reason is not what you claim is the "Churchy-type" than most likely she needs to be here and we need to help.
It's hard to imagine how easy it is for us to judge others and talk about them behind their backs. I'm guilty of that and unfortunately I "constructively" did it today about a friend of mine. Yet, many who do so are also the ones that claim to be faithful, spiritual and religious. We forget no one, not even me, is perfect. There only has been two people that lived such a pure, faithful life and again, we aren't them...in case you were wondering who I'm referring to...JC and his momma, Mary.
In the news, online and everywhere we've heard all the political crap going on, we've seen stories about the young man's death in Florida and the outrage and claims of racism, there continues to be murders in our streets, school violence and bullying. Yet, here we are living our lives in a world full of all this hate and judgement and at some point we fall into, some days more than others. We don't get it.
Life's too short to judge others and if the big guy can hang with those that are not the "Churchy-type" than I surely can strive to do the same, because no one, no one, can determine that they are better than the next person or more Holy. Some people who have perfect attendance at Church and pray daily still commit sin and still fall down just like anyone else.
This week I have challenged myself to not judge another person or speak illy of someone behind their back and I believe the world would be a different place if we all did this in our daily lives.
Until next time...
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