In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
1. Let us open our hearts to receive God’s Word
He also told them a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbour, ‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye.
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. (Lk 6:39-45)
i. Can a blind person guide a blind person?
Why is he asking this question?
Isn’t it obvious?
Why is he asking this question to me?
Maybe he’s aware that for me, it’s obvious that I AM NOT blind?
Maybe he’s aware that I’m too sure of my abilities to guide others?
But maybe his question uncovers the wound and heals it.
Reflect
- Stay with the question.
ii. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?
It’s easy for me to avoid the healing question!
I go back to comparisons:
between me and my brother –
Surely I’m better!
My fear is that it’s the other way round.
But He tells me “read the question again!”
Suddenly the “WHY” strikes me in a new way.
I’m prone to think I’m good at long distance because I can’t dare to see myself?
I criticize my brother because I want to avoid facing myself?
I focus on his limit in order to feel better myself?
And what’s His cure?
Don’t waste your energy in comparisons!
Do not panic when facing your fragility!
Focus on the way God looks at YOU, welcomes you.
And you’ll be in good place to tackle your log!
And suddenly you start to see your brother rather than the speck.
And he’ll find himself in a good place to tackle his speck!
Reflect:
- Which vulnerability are you finding it difficult to embrace? What does it mean for you to stand in the presence of God’s loving gaze?
iii. each tree is known by its own fruit … it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks
Once again stating the obvious!
You won’t get figs from thorns!
But the obvious can be quite challenging.
The quality of your words uncovers the quality of your heart (and your life)!
When words are
acerbic
bitter
empty
deceptive
destructive
divisive
harsh
manipulative
shallow
…
what is the quality of your heart?
Reflect:
How are your words? What’s in your heart?
3. Our Father