Because of technology, news and information get around so swiftly. On one hand, the good, the true and the beautiful. On the other hand, the lies, the deceptive and the fake news. The thing is as human beings, we judge too swiftly and easily. Take for example the story of a policeman who was in the crime scene wearing shorts. On Facebook, the policeman received tons of messages questioning his inappropriate dress. Why was he in shorts? It turns out it was actually his day off and he was out with his family. When he noticed that there was a crime being committed and he had the responsibility to react, even when he was not in duty. 

In the story of the woman caught in adultery, the Pharisees and the Scribes wanted Jesus to judge and condemn the woman. Yet, what does he show – Mercy and Compassion. 

That is why when there is the temptation of judge others, three things we remember:

1. Do we really know the whole story? In the story of the woman caught in adultery, do we really know the story behind the sin? Do we know the circumstances that she is going through? Do we know of the events that lead to the adultery? Most likely not. It is not just fair to judge a person with just one single act.
2. Who among us does not sin? Jesus gave this challenge to all the people present and who wanted to stone the woman. Indeed, who are we to judge when we all have our sins, our scandals, our shortcomings and our embarrassing secrets. If we do not want to be judged, then let us not judge others.
3. Envy. Many of our gossips and judgments are usually based on envy. We put others down thinking that it would make us better. We put others down because they have things that we are envious of. 

Hence, we should realize that only God can judge us. He created us, he knows our hearts and he knows who we really are. He is indeed full of mercy and compassion but he too is a God of justice. “Whatever you did to the least, you did to me.”