Gospel Reflection for 3rd March The 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Judging others…
Whenever we see a political debate during an election campaign, we normally witness politicians from different sides condemning and criticising each other. They each believe that they are right and will say whatever it takes to get their message across. You and I may never get the chance to appear on television to express our opinion. However, there probably have been and are times when we judge, criticise and perhaps even condemn others when their opinion differs from our own. In the gospel this Sunday, Jesus warns us about judging others while ignoring our own failings, faults and shortcomings.
Blind leading the Blind
Jesus uses the image and phrase of the blind leading the blind. We mean no disrespect or prejudice to anyone who is blind or visually impaired, but the image is very easily understood and grasped. How often have we experienced someone getting at us for our mistakes while ignoring their own failings? And, on the other hand, how often have we in our turn taken pleasure in pointing out to another person the error of their ways, while conveniently covering up or forgetting our own mistakes?
The warning from Jesus about pointing out the splinter in another’s eye while ignoring the one in our own is very challenging to hear. But more of a challenge to each of us is that we do something to remove the splinter from our own eye before we criticise others!
It’s all too easy to criticise another person while ignoring our own weaknesses, while pretending that we ourselves have none or that we are perfect! But it takes real courage and humility to look at ourselves and change. This may not be easy, but with God’s help it is possible. God does not judge, condemn or criticise us, so why should we do this to others or even to ourselves?
Hypocrite
Jesus uses the word ‘hypocrite’ in the second part of the gospel. This is a very strong word with which we are familiar. It comes from the world of drama and acting. It actually means a ‘pretender’ or someone who wears a mask. The actor wore a mask and became another person; this let them say and do things that were out of character for them. Jesus warns us about this; we are not to say one thing and then do the very opposite. We are not to be hypocrites! Jesus is asking each of us a very direct and challenging question through this gospel: Is what I believe in my heart seen in my actions and through the quality of my daily life?
Lent is about to start and perhaps this gospel is preparing us to look at ourselves through the eyes of faith and God’s love for us. What do people hear when I speak to and about them? What do others experience when they are around me? Just as a good tree will produce good fruit, so it is this with us. ‘By their fruits you shall know them’ is another way to say this is: If actions speak louder than words, what do my actions tells others about me?
As we prepare to begin our Lenten journey in a few days, may we have to the courage and humility to honestly look at ourselves before we judge and condemn others.
Gospel, Luke 6:39-45
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