From the Deacon's Desk

by Deacon Rick Wagner

Deacon Rick Wagner was ordained on June 23, 2012 and currently serves his home parish of St. Pius X in Indianapolis, IN. He has been married to his wife, Carol, for 42 years and they have 4 children and 10 grandchildren.

Deacon Rick has been involved in Catholic education for 40+ years and currently serves as President of St. Theodore Guerin High School, a workshop instructor for Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, and a retreat leader.

He has also authored three books: Remember What’s Important (2011), Fifty Homilies from the Deacon’s Desk (2016), and Fifty MORE Homilies from the Deacon’s Desk (2024).

Have a question or comment for Deacon Rick? Feel free to contact him at rwagner@spxparish.org

Stop Judging

Each day during Lent, I will be highlighting a Lenten Word (or phrase) of the Day from the readings of the day. I encourage you to reflect on this word or phrase and incorporate it in your prayers today.

“Stop judging and you will not be judged.” (from Luke 6:36-38)

STOP JUDGING: I wish I could say that I don’t judge others. I would be so much prouder of myself if I was able to stand in front of a mirror and say, “I don’t judge others.” I can’t do that – not truthfully.

What I can do is work on judging others less each day. Lent is a time for honest self-reflection. It is when we “put it all out there” for God. “I am a sinner, God. I am not the best version of myself. I need your help.”

If we truly want to stop judging others, we need to be intentional. We can’t just hope to do better; we must take steps to do better. Even when I pray for the strength to withhold judgment and am intentional in my approach to that task, I may still catch myself judging others. That is not ultimately the result I want, but it’s a start. The fact that I caught myself tells me it is on my mind and in my heart to eliminate the behavior.

Small steps…it’s OK to take small steps. Allow your Lenten season to be a season of small steps.


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