In the Creed (the Apostle’s Creed) we state our Catholic beliefs. A creed is essentially a statement of beliefs. At Mass on the weekend, for some reason, I was struck by the line:
From there he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
Do we really live as if one day we will be judged by Jesus? How easy it is to let small, thoughtless actions chip away at the dignity of others. How often do careless words fall from our lips, landing harshly instead of gently? How many choices do we make each day that serve only ourselves, neglecting the common good?
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus reminds us that the measure we use for others will be the measure used for us. Yet, when we read the Gospels, we don’t see Jesus as “judgy.” He is compassionate, patient, and merciful—but His kindness is not passive. He invites, even insists on, transformation. He calls us to turn away from sin and towards a life of love.
There is space to be gentle with ourselves, to acknowledge our human frailty. But that gentleness should never stop us from striving for real change. Our call is to commit daily to the ongoing, sometimes difficult, work of becoming truly good.
The Female Theologian 