The Measure I Use: Wrestling Between Justice and Mercy
“For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.” ~Mt 7:2
I have heard the story several times in different Catholic podcasts but haven’t verified the source.
My summarization of it is that there’s was a nun adamant that St. Therese of Lisieux was wrong about her Little Way and that God couldn’t be that merciful. She was convinced that people were going to be judged strictly.
The nun was all about the way of justice. Saint Therese was devoted to the way of mercy.
It is said that within the week of the nun’s passing, she appeared to St. Therese to tell her she that God judges based on each person’s view. Essentially, the nun could have chosen mercy but she was committed to the way of justice and so it was done.
Whether the story is a legend or not, it’s a clear example of Jesus’ teaching.
I constantly wrestle with both views. My mind believes the way of justice is the correct way. My heart prefers the way of mercy. Depending on the situation I switch between the two views.
When I review my life, I believe I deserve to be judged relative to a high standard (a.k.a. perfectionism). I rationalize this view because I have a habit of wanting to “earn” my rewards rather than wait for someone to save me. In short, I have a tendency to think someone who bets on mercy is being lazy and choosing the easy way out.
Fortunately, I speculate St. Therese and Mother Mary are working behind the scenes to soften my heart so that I can surrender to the truth that there’s nothing for me to earn.
The way of mercy feels simpler and effortless.
My challenge is letting go of the worldly idea that we need to earn our keep to be worthy of salvation.
As you go through your day, habitually judging other people’s actions, remember the same measuring stick is going to be used against you.
I’ll end it with the last line of the kit any of humility: That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
In peace,
~Juan
