Whether They Deserve It Or Not

Much of the discourse lately revolves around a fundamental question of merit. Who deserves what? Does the US deserve social and economic decline? Does the Horn of Africa deserve warfare, drought, famine? Does Europe merit disintegration? Does China qualify as the next great superpower? Do poor people deserve to be poor, and the rich to be rich? Who exactly is responsible for what? And if we find them guilty, should they pay the penalty, and should we cheer at their misery when they suffer?

Forrest Gump wonders his whole life whether life is by chance or by choice, and at the end of the movie, he concludes that "it is a little bit of both." Each day brings new opportunities and choices, and at each crossroads one is obliged to choose which path to take. How can we know all the reasons for our own decisions, let alone someone else's?

We can and should learn from our "mistakes." Who decides whether each choice is right or wrong, and should we make that judgment for others? It is difficult enough to judge ourselves, to determine the correct path to take at each moment. How can I possibly take the responsibility for making judgments on my neighbor, when I can barely keep up with myself?

Christ admonishes us, "Judge not, lest you be judged. With the same measure that you judge, it will be meted out to you, shaken, pressed down, overflowing and abundant. After it is all said and done, we must love our neighbor as ourselves, forgiving any perceived wrong. We must show mercy and compassion, and offer a helping hand. Only then can I be right with myself and fellow man, and most especially God. Forgiveness. Mercy. Justice.