Podcast Summary: The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Episode Title: Fr. Mike Says You Should Judge People (Kind Of)
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Published On: July 10, 2025
Producer: Ascension
Podcast Description: Faith, pop culture, and headline reflections from Fr. Mike Schmitz.

Introduction

In this thought-provoking episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the nuanced interpretation of judgment as taught in the Bible, specifically focusing on Matthew Chapter 7. He addresses a commonly misunderstood verse, clarifying what Jesus truly meant when He instructed, "Do not judge, lest you be judged."

Understanding Biblical Judgment

Fr. Mike begins by introducing the well-known biblical passage from Matthew 7:1-5, where Jesus advises against judgment. He states:

"Jesus, while he said, do not judge lest you be judged. Do not condemn lest you be condemned. I don't think it means what you think it means." ([00:30])

Key Points:

• Common Misinterpretation: Many interpret Jesus' command as an absolute prohibition against any form of judgment or discernment.
• Clarifying Judgment: Fr. Mike argues that Jesus isn't forbidding us from assessing right and wrong but is cautioning against hypocritical or condemning judgments.

The Balance Between Judgment and Compassion

Fr. Mike emphasizes that judgment, in the context Jesus intended, involves discernment rather than condemnation. He elaborates:

"Not only does he say, remove the wooden beam from your own eye so that you can help remove the splinter from your brother's eye. That means you have to notice there's a splinter in your brother's eye and you want to help him." ([01:15])

Key Points:

• Self-Examination: Before judging others, one must first examine and rectify their own faults.
• Active Compassion: True judgment involves recognizing others' faults with the intent to help, not to condemn.

Discernment vs. Condemnation

Fr. Mike differentiates between discerning behavior and condemning individuals:

"We have to judge whether or not this is a true prophet, a false prophet. Right?" ([03:20])

Key Points:

• Assessing Actions: Christians are called to evaluate behaviors and teachings to distinguish between truth and falsehood.
• Avoiding Heart Condemnation: While actions can be assessed, Fr. Mike cautions against condemning someone's heart or intentions, as only God truly knows one's heart.

The Importance of Intentional Assessment

Fr. Mike discusses the necessity of assessing situations and individuals thoughtfully:

"Can you explain to me, you said such and such a thing, what did you mean by that? Because it sounded to me like this." ([05:45])

Key Points:

• Curiosity Over Assumptions: Instead of hastily labeling someone as "off the rails," Christians are encouraged to seek understanding and clarity.
• Building Trust: By approaching others with a desire to understand, trust is strengthened, and unjust judgments are avoided.

Practical Application in Community Living

Fr. Mike relates biblical teachings to everyday interactions within communities:

"We say we want to fill the gap with trust." ([07:10])

Key Points:

• Filling the Gap: In situations where someone's behavior seems wrong, the first step should be to trust and seek understanding rather than jumping to conclusions.
• Empathy in Action: Demonstrating genuine care by asking meaningful questions reflects Jesus' teaching to "do to others what you would have them do to you."

Conclusion: Judging with Love and Wisdom

Wrapping up, Fr. Mike reiterates that judgment, when done correctly, is an act of love and discernment:

"We do have to judge actions. But to care enough about a person to call balls and strikes, to care enough about a person to say that behavior, that word was wrong, and to care enough about them to keep asking what's going on?" ([09:30])

Key Points:

• Balanced Judgment: It's essential to assess actions while maintaining compassion and avoiding heart condemnation.
• Faith in Practice: Living out Jesus' teachings involves a delicate balance of discernment, self-examination, and empathetic understanding.

Notable Quotes

• On Misinterpretation of Judgment:

  "Do not judge lest you be judged. Do not condemn lest you be condemned. I don't think it means what you think it means." ([00:30])

• On Helping Others:

  "Remove the wooden beam from your own eye so that you can help remove the splinter from your brother's eye." ([01:15])

• On Discernment:

  "By their fruits you will know them. That basically says, a good tree bears good fruit and a rotten tree bears rotten fruit." ([02:50])

• On Building Trust:

  "We say we want to fill the gap with trust." ([07:10])

• On Compassionate Judgment:

  "To care enough about a person to call balls and strikes, to care enough about a person to say that behavior, that word was wrong, and to care enough about them to keep asking what's going on?" ([09:30])

Final Thoughts

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz masterfully navigates the complex topic of judgment, urging listeners to adopt a balanced approach rooted in biblical teachings. By distinguishing between condemnation and compassionate discernment, he provides a framework for Christians to interact thoughtfully and lovingly within their communities. This episode serves as a valuable guide for anyone seeking to understand how to judge appropriately without falling into hypocrisy or harsh condemnation.

Thank you for reading this summary. For a deeper understanding and more insights, consider listening to the full episode of The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast.