JUDGE

"Don't judge me!" We express that a lot especially when we feel that people misunderstand our intentions.

But that's what we basically do everyday. A stranger walks into a room and almost instantly, we hand out a verdict:

"Uy, mayaman (rich)!" "Mukhang pobre (poor)." "Huwaw, maganda, siguro mabait din (Beautiful, must also be nice)!" "Ang pangit naman (ugly)." "Parang bobing (stupid)." "I don't like her face."

It's an awful thing to be judged, especially when we mean something and others perceive the opposite.

What's worse is, I see someone's weaknesses or wrongs but fail to see mine. You see my dirt but don't see yours. We have become each other's judge.

But almost instantly, we soon realize our bad judgment. And worser than worst (now we sweat, heart throbbing faster) it's now too late to take it back because we've somehow whispered it to someone and that someone has shouted it from the housetops, na-broadcast pa sa TV. Patay (I'm doomed)!

Or even if we judged right, did we need to let the whole world know? The anatomy of slander!

No wonder Jesus cautions against judging. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye" (Matthew 7:3)?

Because if we must judge, we should ourselves be above reproach. Or don't judge at all.

Now we realize the awesome calling of a judge in the court of laws.

A judge's responsibillity is to impartially decide on the merit or demerit of a case, something which must be done based on credible evidence and witnesses. Individuals' reputations---and how their future may pan out---rest on the wisdom of judges to rule without bias.

No wonder the symbol of justice is that of a blindfolded woman with a scale. It's a weighty and nerve-racking task.

I know of a Christian judge who belabors every decision because he knows his responsibility to God and the need to mete out the right penalty to law-breakers, especially murderers, rapists and drug dealers. This person I write about also tries to live free from political or family influences and others' attempts to bribe him. He and his wife also live simply, stretching his judge's salary and careful not to show off or flaunt his position.

(Oh please, Mr. President, realize that judges' salaries must be substantial for the risks they take in making fair decisions and so that they will not fall prey to lagay [bribery]!)

How terrible it is therefore to be in the place of Justice Renato Corona. His trial under the senator-judges now puts him in the hot seat of the accused, with his own inequities being floated and flouted one by one by the prosecution.

Ironic, isn't it that the Justice of the highest court of the land is now being judged!

But here's the other irony: Senator-judges now preside over his case. Do they judge from a supposedly higher ground? Are they themselves beyond reproach? If someone were to sit on a much loftier ground, will these senator judges emerge as clean and good-smelling like a Tide-with-Downy-washed laundry?

I bet none would. None of us qualifies!

Let those who need to promote the rule of law do their work. That's why we have laws. We need order and righteousness to prevail in the land. But let them be the first to model integrity and impartiality! Let us pray the leaders and justices of our country will come out of this experience with a realization that they must first "remove the plank from their eyes," as Jesus said.

Now, who would want to be the judge?

There's only one righteous judge: Jesus, who will judge us at our life's end. For now, He reaches out to us with grace, not condemnation. Because He wants you and I to come humbly, acknowledging Him as Savior and Lord.

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "Christ ... died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God" (1Peter 3:18). "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved" (Romans 10:9).

Would you rather be saved than judged?