LOOK AT YOURSELF FIRST

Luke 6:39–42 - Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Jesus asks a question that is almost humorous: “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?” We are often very good at seeing what is wrong with other people. We notice their words, their attitudes, their mistakes, their weaknesses, and their failures. Jesus is not telling us to ignore what is wrong; He is reminding us that the first person I need to look at is myself.

It is so easy to become an expert on other people's lives. We can quickly say, “He should do this,” or “She shouldn't have said that,” or “If I were in their place, I would have handled it differently.” But we sometimes forget that we also have our own “logs”—our impatience, pride, anger, judgment, selfishness, or unwillingness to forgive. And sometimes the very thing that bothers us most in another person is something we struggle with ourselves. Jesus asks us to begin with humility: “Lord, show me what needs to change in me.”

So today, instead of asking, “What is wrong with that person?”, perhaps we should ask, “What is God trying to change in me?” Before correcting someone, take a moment to pray. Before judging, pause. Before pointing a finger, look honestly at your own heart. And once God begins to remove the “log” from our eyes, something beautiful happens: we don't stop helping others; we become better able to help them—with compassion rather than criticism, with humility rather than pride, and with love rather than judgment.

With Love and Prayers

Your Co-Traveler