GOSPEL, Matthew (7: 1-5)
Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew
Judging Others
7 “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. 2 For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. 3 Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your neighbour, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? 5 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.
The Gospel of the Lord
REFLECTION
With today’s gospel, Jesus intends to call the attention of his disciples to a danger that surrounds them: to become elite, to believe themselves superior and to separate themselves from others, like the Pharisees. We must not judge and condemn others because only God knows the human heart.
Today, God teaches us to imitate his mercy. As the book of Wisdom says, God takes pity on all and corrects those who fall, so that they may convert and believe in Him.
Wisdom(11:23)
23 But you are merciful to all, for you can do all things, and you overlook people’s sins, so that they may repent.
Whoever condemns his brother self excludes himself from God’s forgiveness.
A look in the mirror, a glance at our smallness and insignificance, the “log” in our own eye, will undoubtedly minimize the faults of others and make us more accepting and charitable, with the thought in mind that others also have tolerate our own dispositions.
Knowing our own limitations, admitting them and accepting them will teach us to know how to be and live with others. Thus, we will walk in truth and simplicity, with the spirit of fellowship, tolerance and understanding towards others without condemning them.
If God is optimistic about man and loves him in spite of everything, the disciple of Christ must be the same in relation to all others. This is a safer path to personal fulfillment and happiness than the delusion of presumption.
Let us ask the Lord for the ability and disposition to defend others rather than to judge them! Let us assume a profound attitude of understanding and respect for others. We are all children of God and with our brethren let us all walk in the Lord´s Grace to the Promised Land.
PRAYER
Blessed are you, Lord Jesus. Radically cure us of our hypocrisy that sees the speck of dust in the eyes of others and hides the log, in our own. Lord, give us, purity of sight to see the good, that is, your image reflected in other faces, to believe in others and to love life with a big heart like yours. Amen.