What does Jesus mean "Do Not Judge"?

"Do not judge" (in Matthew 7:1-5) is probably one of the most quoted but misquoted words of Jesus. It is often used to tell someone not to tell someone else what is wrong with his/her behaviour. I have probably said it myself. Or I have felt guilty at times for having thought or said something negative towards others. More recently, I have also adopted a new attitude that I don't pass judgement outside the church but it is my responsibility to admonish someone who is my brother or sister in Christ. This is based on St. Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13a "For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? God will judge those outside." So I started digging deeper into this and here is my new discovery:

(1) The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible has surprisingly little to say on Matthew 7:1-5. It says Jesus condemns judging other's faults because we are incapable of judging with fairness and accuracy. However, Jesus commands us to exercise critical discernment (Matthew 7:6, 15-19, 1 Thess 5:21). We should set the standards of our personal judgement by our own conduct towards others.

(2) Gotquestions.org is quite helpful. It points out that "the Bible’s command that we not judge others does not mean all actions are equally moral or that truth is relative. The Bible clearly teaches that truth is objective, eternal, and inseparable from God’s character. Anything that contradicts the truth is a lie—but, of course, to call something a “lie” is to pass judgment. To call adultery or murder a sin is likewise to pass judgment—but it’s also to agree with God. When Jesus said not to judge others, He did not mean that no one can identify sin for what it is, based on God’s definition of sin.". It quotes Jesus' words "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." (John 7:24) and list these sinful type of judgement:

• Superficial Judgement - Passing judgment on someone based solely on appearances before investigating the facts, e.g. Luke 7:36-50. 
• Hypocritical Judgement - When we point out the sin of others while we ourselves commit the same sin, we condemn ourselves (Romans 2:1).
• Harsh, unforgiving judgment - We are “always to be gentle toward everyone” (Titus 3:2). It is the merciful who will be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7), and, as Jesus warned, “In the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:2).
• Self-righteous judgment - We are called to humility, and “God opposes the proud” (James 4:6). The Pharisee in Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector was confident in his own righteousness and from that proud position judged the publican; however, God sees the heart and refused to forgive the Pharisee’s sin (Luke 18:9–14).
• Untrue judgment - The Bible clearly forbids bearing false witness (Proverbs 19:5). “Slander no one” (Titus 3:2).

The article then gives a nice summary: "Believers are warned against judging others unfairly or unrighteously, but Jesus commends “right judgment” (John 7:24). We are to be discerning (Colossians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). We are to preach the whole counsel of God, including the Bible’s teaching on sin (Acts 20:27; 2 Timothy 4:2). We are to gently confront erring brothers or sisters in Christ (Galatians 6:1). We are to practice church discipline (Matthew 18:15–17). We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15)."

(3) Catholic Answers has a very nice article by Jim Blackburn with very similar teaching as (2) but includes lots of examples, like this one: "Typical examples would be dealing with an adult child who’s living with her boyfriend or coping with an adult sibling who has announced that he is gay. The callers often struggle with whether to allow the child or sibling to practice the immoral lifestyle in their home. Do I have to let them spend the night? What do I tell my kids? How do I deal with this in a loving way? Can I truly love my neighbor while rejecting his immoral lifestyle?" After giving a very detail explanation on Matthew 7:1-5 he gives this conclusion:
"So, when faced with the immoral behavior of loved ones, how can we be sure to rightly judge behavior? In Jesus’ own words, we must start by taking the logs out of our own eyes—by making sure we are doing the best we can to live lives of good example. We must also strive to form our consciences correctly so that we know sin when we see it. Finally, we must not jump to conclusions about another’s culpability in sin. Doing all this will help to ensure that our admonitions are seen as the loving actions we intend them to be—meant to help our loved ones live their lives in ways that are pleasing to God. Only then can our efforts be effective in helping to take these ugly specks out of our brothers’ eyes."

(4) Tim Staples puts on a positive spin on judging others: Jesus Commands Christians to Judge!
"For those who misunderstand Matt. 7:1, this sounds like a contradiction. But if we pause to think about this for a moment, the spiritual works of mercy we should have been taught from our childhood represent the classic example of this truth. And these are not optional, folks. Our eternity depends upon fulfilling them in our lives."

What are the Spiritual Works of Mercy (see CCC 2447)?
1. To comfort those who are suffering.
2. To console those who have suffered loss.
3. To forgive those who ask for pardon.
4. To forbear with those who hurt us, even if they are not sorry.
5. To admonish the sinner
6. To educate the ignorant.

The last two—to admonish the sinner, and to educate the ignorant—necessarily involve making judgments concerning the actions of others. See these biblical teachings:

"My brethren, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20)

"If I say to the wicked, "You shall surely die," and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way... that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand." (Ez. 3:18-19)

"Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers." (I Tim. 4:16)

Notes from The Lamb's Supper, the Mass explained

When I first entered the Catholic church, I was most attracted to the Mass. However, I didn't understand much of what was going on during the Mass. So I started to find resources that could help me. Father Ian told me to read the Sacrosanctum Concilium - well, I would say that was a little over my head! But I did learn the importance of Liturgy in the formation of believers who are part of this One Holy Catholic and Apostolic church (from the Nicene Creed).

I then came across this helpful lecture series by the Liturgical Institute (to get the maximum benefit - watch the video along with the Study Guide): http://www.elementsofthecatholicmass.com/episodes

And then in the last couple of weeks, I started reading Scott Hahn's book The Lamb's Supper - The Mass as Heaven on Earth. It is higher readable and I have found it tremendously helpful. When I now attend Mass, these important themes come to my mind to guide me through. How important it is to understand these mysteries since I will be spending eternity enjoying it!!

These notes are primarily taken from the fourth chapter: Taste and See (and Hear and Touch) the Gospel. (pp.40-57)
Part I: Liturgy of the Word
(1) Sign of the Cross - It is the Christian faith summarized in a single gesture. When we cross ourselves, we renew the covenant that began with our baptism. With our words, we proclaim the Trinitarian faith into which we were baptized ("In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit"). With our hand, we proclaim our redemption by the cross of Jesus Christ... The cross is the means by which we are saved, by which we become partakers in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4)... By making the Sign of the Cross, we begin the Mass with a reminder that we are children of God. We also renew the solemn oath of our baptism... (it) is like swearing on the Bible in a court of law. We promise that we have come to Mass to offer testimony... we are active participants, we are witnesses, and we swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help us, God.
(2) Penitential Rite - If we're on the witness stand, then who's on trial?... We are...no one rises to accuse us but we ourselves. We have sinned! (1 John 1:9) The Didache says that an act of confession should precede our participation in the Eucharist. So in the Mass, we plead guilty and then throw ourselves on the mercy of heaven's court. In the Kyrie (Kyrie eleison) we ask mercy of each of the three divine persons in the Trinity: "Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy."
(3) Gloria - todah - We praise God for the blessings we just prayed for. That's our testimony of God's power. That's His glory. The Gloria cries out with the joy, confidence, and hope that have always marked believers.
(4) Liturgy of the Word - Faith comes from hearing. Selected passages of scripture are read following the Lectionary - a three-year Bible reading schedule covering almost the entire bible. Listen attentively! Respect Christ's presence in the Gospel the same way we respect His presence in the Host of the Eucharist. Careful! We are bound by what we hear (see the Book of Revelation).
(5) Homily and the Creed - In the homily, the priest or deacon offers us a commentary on God's inspired word. Homilies don't have to entertain us. Just as Jesus comes to us in humble, tasteless wafers, so the holy Spirit sometimes works through the monotone, lackluster preacher. After the homily, we recite the Nicene Creed, which is the faith distilled into just a few lines - here we proclaim doctrines for which Christian citizens of the Roman Empire suffered imprisonment and death.

Part II: Liturgy of the Eucharist
(1) Offertory - We offer ourselves and all that we have... because we know the Lord can take what is temporal and make it eternal, take what is human and make it divine... Everything we have goes on the altar, to be made holy in Christ.
(2) "Lift up your hearts" - Where? To heaven! We see angels and saints and together we sing before heaven's throne "Santus" or "Holy, Holy, Holy". Then comes the climax of the Eucharistic sacrifice, the great Eucharistic Prayer (or Anaphora). This is where it becomes clear that the New Covenant is not a book. It's an action, and that action is the Eucharist:
-The priest calls down the Holy Spirit (Epiklesis).
-The Narrative of Institution is the moment when the Spirit and the Word transform the elements from bread and wine into the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. The priest speaks in the person of Christ by the sacrament of Holy Orders.
-Remembrance: more like Jesus renewing, re-presenting, reenacting His covenant. He makes His New Covenant new once again.
-Offering: it is Jesus in His glorified humanity, and He is our offering.
-Intercessions: with Jesus Himself, we pray to the Father for the living and the dead, for the whole Church and the whole world.
-Doxology: "Through Him, with Him, in Him, all glory and honor is Yours, almighty Father, forever and ever." followed by "The Great Amen."
(3) Our Father - The Mass fulfills the Lord's Prayer, perfectly, word for word.
(4) Communion Rite - With communion (koinonia or fellowship - the supernatural gift - really worth reading) we renew our bond with the eternal family, the Family Who is God, and the God's family on earth, the Church (in the Sign of Peace). "Lamb of God" recalls the Passover sacrifice and the "mercy" and "peace" of the new Passover. We respond in the words of the Roman centurion: "Lord, I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the word..." (Mt 8:8). In the Eucharist we receive what we will be for all eternity, when we are taken up to heaven to join with the heavenly throng in the marriage supper of the Lamb. At Holy Communion, we are already there.
(5) Ite, missa est - literally, "Go, it is sent". The end of the Mass is less of a dismissal and more of a commissioning. We have united ourselves to Christ's sacrifice. We leave Mass now in order to live the mystery, the sacrifice, we have just celebrated, through the splendor of ordinary life in the home and in the world.

I Believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth

I get this sent to me everyday which now forms the major part of my daily devotion and prayer (along with the daily Rosary). The Meditation of the Day for today (June 2, 2017) really spoke to me (with my emphasis in BOLD and links to biblical references, taken from CCC, 268-9):

"Of all the divine attributes, only God’s omnipotence is named in the Creed: to confess this power has great bearing on our lives. We believe that his might is universal, for God who created everything also rules everything and can do everything. God’s power is loving, for he is our Father, and mysterious, for only faith can discern it when it ‘is made perfect in weakness.' (Gen 1:1; Jn 1:3; Mt 6:9; 2 Cor 12:9;  1 Cor 1:18)

"He does whatever he pleases"(Ps 115:3)

The Holy Scriptures repeatedly confess the universal power of God. He is called the 'Mighty One of Jacob,' the 'Lord of hosts,' the 'strong and mighty' one. If God is almighty 'in heaven and on earth,' it is because he made them. (Gen 49:24; Isa 1:24; Ps 24:8-10; 135:6) Nothing is impossible with God, who disposes his works according to his will.(Jer 27:5; 32:17; Lk 1:37) He is the Lord of the universe, whose order he established and which remains wholly subject to him and at his disposal. He is master of history, governing hearts and events in keeping with his will: 'It is always in your power to show great strength, and who can withstand the strength of your arm?'"(Wis 11:21; Esth 4:17b; Prov 21:1; Tob 13:2)

"You are merciful to all, for you can do all things"(Wis 11:23)

When I am weak; when the forces of the enemies appear to gain strength (look no further than the abortion and assisted suicide legislation); and when sickness and disasters become overwhelming; I must remember to come back to the very core belief of my faith - look to God for strength. These verses come to mind:

(Psalm 121)
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
    from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

(2 Corinthians 12:1-10)
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
I learned the Greek word for weakness is asthenia (or astheneō). This word appears a lot in many medical terms, e.g. Myasthenia gravis. It's hard to imagine that when someone has weakness, then there is also potential to find strength (or at least the meaning of strength). It's interesting to do a word study in scripture using the Strong's Concordance. The blueletterbible.org has a useful tool for that. So I learned that "Strong's Number G770 matches the Greek ἀσθενέω (astheneō), which occurs 39 times in 35 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV".

(Psalm 23)
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
    I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff—
    they comfort me.

(Philippians 4:13)
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

These are lovely worship music on this theme:
You are my Hiding Place - Let the Weak say I am Strong in the Strength of the Lord
How Great Thou Art - Then Sings my Soul...

And this is a lovely testimony from Marlana whose life clearly transforms weakness into strength:
http://www.littlemarlana.com/my-story.html