As we end the month of February we are given a simple command.
Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another
The word complain here provides a wonderful image. It means to complain, murmur, grumble, talk under your breath.
The scriptures make it clear that if we act like brothers and sisters, if we love one another, and we think someone is doing something wrong, we should talk directly to them.
We know this and yet which of us could go a week or even a day without a grumble about anyone? What's even more odd if we think about it is that we tend to grumble more about people we know least, people we've never even met.
At the same time we grumble about others, we want others to love us despite our imperfections. Should we not begin by showing others the respect we wish to be shown.
As we prepare to begin the season of Lent, perhaps this command should be a part of our conversion. It is a simple thing. We can get up in the morning and decide, "Today I will not complain about anyone." It's harder than it sounds.
