“Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3) Many of us are blind to our own sin. Plus, we tend to downgrade our own transgressions as compared to others. Judging or recognizing someone’s faults is not a sin in itself. It’s when we arrogantly pass judgment on others while forgetting our own more serious faults that judging becomes a problem.

“Stop judging me” is a common phrase heard today, especially when people do not simply agree on a topic. There are times when someone is actually “judging” someone else and that is wrong. However, there are also many times when someone is just “disagreeing” with someone else and not “judging” them, but disagreement is interpreted as judgment. Our culture has become too lax in the way we talk and in the way we listen to each other. There was a time when people sought common ground with each other, versus immediately becoming mortal enemies, over a simple disagreement.

We used to give each other the benefit of the doubt. We used to be more compassionate, and less critical, in the way we talked to each other and in the way we listened to each other. We are now reaping what we have sown — the lack of trust in God in our society is compounding itself in our lack of trust in each other.

How do we counter this? Archbishop Charles Chaput said, “If we are holy, others will more easily hear their call to holiness.” We all know many fallen away Catholics and Christians. The good news — they were all baptized. They all have the indelible mark of God on their souls through baptism. They are still daughters and sons of God, even if they don’t realize it. People are craving God, but haven’t recognized only He can fill that hole in their heart.

Here is our chance to be examples of holiness to others; to model joyful Catholic lifestyles that people are attracted to. We are in a time in our world, in our country and in our diocese that we need to demonstrate the Golden Rule — “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.” (Matthew 7:12) It’s time for all of us to intentionally share our faith and resources with those that are both physically and spiritually in need. And, we need to do this with a lot more compassion and a lot less criticism. Start today — pray for people in your life that bother you.