The one who sees his own wounds has little time to count the wounds of others.
Judging one’s neighbor is often born from forgetting oneself. When a person ceases to examine his own heart, he begins to examine the lives of others. He easily notices his brother’s faults while overlooking the passions at work within himself.
Only God knows the whole story of a soul. He sees hidden struggles, unseen tears, wounds that no one else knows, and the grace that works in secret. Man sees a moment; God sees eternity. Therefore, human judgment is almost always premature.
When you are tempted to condemn, remember your own falls and the patience God has shown toward you. Mercy toward your neighbor does not mean calling evil good or good evil; it means leaving the judgment of the heart to the One who knows all things.
Instead of asking, “Why is he like this?” ask yourself, “How can I love more? How can I pray more purely?” In this way your heart will be guarded from harshness and will learn mercy.
The one who ceases to judge begins to see in every person not an enemy, but a brother for whom Christ gave His life.
“Judge not, that you be not judged.” (Matthew 7:1)
