July 16

Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. — Mark 14:4-5 BSB

It’s easy to fall into the habit of criticizing others and finding fault with the way they serve Christ. Many motives encourage this un-Christian behavior. We tend to be envious of others and form unfair opinions about what they do. One of the last graces to develop in a Christian is the ability to rejoice in another’s good work. It’s also difficult to learn Christ’s lesson: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Sadly, it seems natural for us to belittle others’ efforts.

But we must learn how sinful it is to murmur against others. We see how unlovely and un-Christlike it was in these first disciples. It’s no different when we do it today. If someone doesn’t serve Christ in the same way we do, do we have the right to judge them, criticize them, or speak unkindly about their efforts? Their service is between them and their Master. We have no right to judge. Few lessons are more needed than this, for few faults are more common than criticizing the way others serve Christ.