1 Timothy 1:1-14, Ps 16, Luke 6:39-42
When is the last time you had something in your eye? You know that little speck of dust blowing in the wind or that loose eyelash that just won’t leave you alone. It’s annoying to be sure, but isn’t it interesting to note that Jesus knew exactly how that feels. Walking along the dusty roads as he travelled from town to town there was probably many times that he had to stop… and get the little bit of junk out of his eye before continuing. It was probably during one of these little breaks that he made the connection between that ocular irritation and the sin that disturbs the peace of our daily lives.
Those little annoying habits of others that drive us crazy can be like the little specks that immobilize us. Once they are noticed they just won’t leave us alone. There is the guy at work that never washes out his coffee cup, and the family member who leaves a mouthful of juice in the bottom of the container before putting it back in the fridge. Small things to be sure, but like that speck they can drive us around the bend. We just want to grab that speck and make it be gone for good.
But then Jesus, as he so often does, gives us a pause for reflection. Why do the little specks of others bother us so much when our own mis-behaviours can stay so easily hidden. Jesus says that its as if we had a log in our own eye, but we fail to notice it.
Self deception about our own faults is a commonly observed trait but it’s not well understood. We are quick to jump to judgment and criticism of others while at the same time rationalizing and justifying our own behaviours. The Gospel’s invitation today is to seek personal insight. It’s not just about trying to make ourselves feel guilty but rather trying to be really honest about who we are and what our gifts and limitations are. Understanding where we might fall short helps us to be forgiving of others.
Self awareness is not a skill that is developed overnight. In the Gospel Jesus talks about the need for a good guide, a spiritual teacher, someone who will be honest with us and also be kind with us and help us to be kind with ourselves as we begin to dig deeper. But it is perhaps good to know that even acknowledging our need to be more self aware is a wonderful beginning in itself.
