Have you noticed the programming on TV this season? There is 2022 season “The Bachelorette” now “The Golden Bachelorette”, “American Idol” and “Voice”. All the programs, in one way or another, have something to do with EVALUATING other people. To be honest, the only one I have ever seen is “The Voice.” So, I may not be the best judge of their entertainment value. However, I do know something about what the Bible says about judging other people. (Matthew 7:1) “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”
Apparently judging others is not unique to this generation. It seems to have been a habit in Jesus’ time as well. Maybe the practice is a false means by which we make ourselves “look good.” After all, the practice of judging others elevates us to a place above the one we stand in judgment of…at least for a moment. One has to ask if there is any long-term benefit or cost to developing such a habit.
In contrast, for thousands of years the church has provided a different approach. If you like REALITY programming, you are going to love this one. We call it LENT. That is right, LENT. For the better part of seven weeks, we get to use all our best evaluative skills to determine who the winner will be. During the seven weeks we will not be judged on how we can make another’s heart throb as in “The Bachelorette.” We will not have to sing or perform. All we have to do is be honest. That’s right; just be honest. We have to evaluate ourselves by comparing the person we are against the person God created us to be. Now that’s a serious dose of reality.
In the end all we have to do to be a “winner” is bring ourselves and an honest evaluation to church on Easter and become born anew as one of the Easter People.
Thank God for a fresh dose of reality.
Father Bill Myrick 
