Can a blind person guide a blind person?
One of the things that I struggle with as a Christian is being judgmental of others. It is so hard when I try to follow the commandments and I see friends and relatives and complete strangers who in my judgement are not following the will of God. That is what Jesus says is my problem. Jesus knew before I was born, that I was not perfect. Every time scripture is read in some way I am humbled and can not toot my own horn too loudly.
This is why I seek out the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
This is why I need the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
As we continue with our Gospel readings today, it doesn’t say not to seek correction of others faults. What our readings continue to say is take care of your own sins before we try to correct others. Jesus is saying, “Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”
Jesus message is simple and straight forward. It is easily said but hard to live. Why?
It is easy to blame Adam and Original Sin, but when it comes to my actions, I am in the driver’s seat. There is such a thing as sins of omission and not speaking up and there is such a thing as going off half cocked.
One of my fellow parishioners is a local restaurant owner. He does this full time job and also feeds the homeless lunch 5 days a week. He does not foot the entire bill and has plenty of volunteer help. He also does not judge the people he serves.
This is easy for people you don’t know. What about people you do? How do we prevent ourselves from being a hypocrite.
We have been shown mercy by God every time we sin and are forgiven. God has taken that object from our eyes. Myself, I have been shown mercy from God so many times that I don’t deserve. That is not the point. We have to appreciate the mercy we have received in order to help someone take the object from their eyes.
When we realize we are in the mercy seat and not the judgement seat then the grace from the Sacrament of Reconciliation will help us and some one we are trying to help.
Think of someone today who needs mercy and think of some way to give that person some of the mercy that God has shown you. In my case I have a great deal of mercy to give to others. Graces will follow.
God Love You Always.
Bob Burford
PS: Please pray for Paul, Kathryn and Anna
Picture Credit: “‘Blind men’s parable’ (1568) by Pieter Bruegel the Old (Breda 1525/1530-Bruxelles 1569) – Capodimonte Museum in Naples” by Carlo Raso is marked with CC PDM 1.0
