Pastor's Reflection - April 26, 2026

How to Avoid Rash Judgments

In light of the disappointing situation between the President and the Pope that has been in the media the past few weeks, I thought it would be a good idea to create a resource about the dangers of rash judgments drawing upon the wisdom of my favorite saint, Saint Francis de Sales.

“Judge not, and you shall not be judged” (Luke 6:37). St. Francis de Sales reminds us that rash judgments offend God because they put us in the place of the Divine Judge and mistake what only God can see—the intentions of the heart (2 Cor. 5:10). They also distract us from our first duty: to examine and correct our own faults.

Common causes of rash judgment

•         Natural bitterness or sourness of temperament, which reads fault everywhere.

•         Pride and self‑complacency, which raise ourselves by lowering others.

•         Rationalizing our own sins by assuming others are equally guilty.

•         Love of talk, wit, or gossip—judging for entertainment.

•         Passion, prejudice, jealousy, fear, ambition, and other disordered affections.

Practical remedies (St. Francis de Sales’ guidance)

1.      Drink the “wine of charity.” Charity is the healing medicine: it prefers the kinder interpretation, turns away from evil, and, when possible, believes the best.

2.      Judge yourself first. The apostle teaches that self‑judgment preserves us from being judged. Focus energy on interior reform rather than examining others.

3.      Favor the fair interpretation. When an action can be read in many ways, choose the most loving, as Abimelech did toward Isaac and Rebecca, and as Joseph did toward Mary—he chose to trust and put the matter in God’s hands.

4.      Limit doubts to reasoned grounds. It is lawful to be cautious when evidence is strong; it is sinful to multiply suspicions without cause.

5.      Turn inwards rather than prying outward. Tender‑hearted souls avoid roaming through the hidden actions of others; they repair their own hearts instead.

6.      When duty requires judgment (pastors, parents, magistrates), do it out of love and justice, not prejudice or curiosity—and then return to interior recollection.

A short examen to practice

•         Before forming an opinion, ask: Do I know the heart or only an outward sign?

•         Could there be a harmless explanation? Which interpretation is most charitable?

•         Am I judging to wound, to amuse, or to protect and correct?

•         What correction do I need to make in myself?

A closing thought

Rash judgment is a “spiritual jaundice” that colors everything darkly. Counter it by cultivating gentle affections, humble charity, and careful self‑examination. In doing so we follow Christ’s command, spare our neighbor, and leave final judgment to God.

Adapted from St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life

In Christ,

Fr. James Northrop, Pastor