REFLECTIONS TODAY
The integrity of a person is seen in his or her degree of self-awareness and in the recognition of one’s deficiencies and limitations. The consistent and sincere living out of this virtue sooner or later helps the person to serve as a guide and teacher to others as well. But this is easier said than done.
The parable that Jesus mentions in the Gospel today shows this reality, challenging our imagination. He dares us to picture “a blind person guide a blind person” (v 39) and explains the figure of speech further with exaggerated images evoking humor. Imagine someone who has pronounced imperfections (that is, the “wooden beam”) (v 41) checking on another and correcting the latter’s minute deficiencies (the “splinter”) (v 41). The incongruity of the situation is not only laughable but pathetic.
Indeed, oftentimes in life, we are quick to notice the flaws in others, and we hasten to guide and correct them. In the process, we remain largely unaware of our blind spots and of our hypocritical actions. Let us pray for the grace of self-awareness, invoking the Lord’s mercy upon us so that we may also be more gentle in dealing with others.
Gospel • Luke 6:39-42
Jesus told his disciples a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?
How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.