The Holy Martyr Julian of Tarsus.
Romans 3:19-26; Matthew 7:1-8.
Read Matthew 7:1-8
In a world of constant noise and criticism, it becomes easy to confuse righteous discernment with self-righteous judgment. Jesus teaches, “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged” (Matt 7:1), reminding us that condemnation is God’s alone. But His words do not call us to abandon truth or moral clarity. Rather, they urge us to approach others with mercy and humility, recognizing our own need for grace.
The Church Fathers emphasize that hearing Christ’s voice transforms how we see others. St. Augustine wrote, “Let us listen to the voice of the Shepherd within our hearts, so that we may not go astray in our pride” (Tractate on John 48.1). Listening to Christ teaches us not to elevate ourselves above others but to look upon them with compassion, even when correction is needed. St. Cyril of Alexandria also said, “The soul that loves God hears His voice and desires to follow, not to condemn” (Commentary on John). To hear Christ is to imitate His mercy.
Upholding the truth is not the same as judging hearts. We must stand firm in what Christ teaches about sin, justice, and righteousness, but we do so not to tear down, but to build up and save souls. Judging closes the heart to the other; truth spoken in love opens it. Christ calls us not to abandon moral responsibility, but to exercise it with gentleness. When we first remove the log from our own eye (Matt 7:5), we become capable of seeing and loving our neighbour correctly.