Recently, I listened to a sermon by Metropolitan Theognost of Kashira about the importance of refraining from judging others. One thought he shared struck me deeply: “Do not rush to condemn! We see how a person sins, but only God sees how they repent.” This idea resonated with me, especially as I reflected on my own immediate reactions to wrongdoing.

It’s often difficult to envision someone as repentant when they have just committed an act of wrongdoing right before our eyes. My instinct is usually to respond with harsh criticism and a judgmental verdict. However, I had a personal experience that illuminated the truth of the Metropolitan's words.

One evening, while returning home from work, I boarded a bus alongside a young man holding a paper cup of fragrant coffee. I settled in near the driver, while he took a seat at the back. As the doors closed and we began to move, the driver suddenly addressed someone over the intercom: “Passenger in the back, please pick up the cup from the floor!”

Within moments, the young man approached the front, visibly agitated. He launched into a tirade, raising his voice and justifying his actions, claiming he had dropped it by accident and would have picked it up upon exiting. The driver, trying to maintain civility, explained that it was his responsibility to clean up after passengers. Yet, the young man continued to escalate the situation, and soon both were exchanging heated words.

I felt a wave of fear wash over me. It’s unsettling to think of an irate person behind the wheel, and the argument created a palpable atmosphere of negativity that enveloped the bus. I found myself involuntarily crossing myself, whispering, “Lord, have mercy!”

After about ten minutes, as the bus continued its route, the young man approached the driver again. My heart sank—“Is he going to start another argument?” But then, something unexpected happened.

“I want to apologize! I insulted you, and I was wrong! Please forgive me!” he declared, his voice loud and clear, though it was evident that this admission was not easy for him.

I didn’t catch the driver’s exact response, but it was clearly conciliatory. The young man returned to his seat, and in that moment, I recalled the words of Metropolitan Theognost: “We see how a person sins, but we do not see how they repent.”

During the argument, I had quickly judged this young man, viewing him as a source of negativity and a disruptor of peace. Yet, while I was mentally condemning him, he was already in the process of repenting for his actions. He even went so far as to publicly apologize.

When I later shared this experience with my spiritual father, he reminded me of the words of St. Dorotheus: “Do not judge your neighbor; you know his sin, but not his repentance.”

How often do I hastily pass judgment on those around me, failing to recognize that my condemnation only adds another layer of wrongdoing—slander? A person may have already repented and changed, yet they continue to be judged and maligned by others, which only perpetuates their suffering.

Lord, grant me the wisdom to see my own sins and to refrain from judging my neighbor! This experience has taught me the profound importance of humility and compassion, reminding me that we are all on our own journeys of growth and redemption.