Friday 10 September 2021
Today is Friday the 10 September, in the 23rd week of Ordinary Time.
The monks of Glenstal Abbey sing Ubi caritas est vera, Deus ibi est.
Wherever love is true, God is there.
God is present here…now: the God who is love.
Present, living, dwelling around and in you.
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.
Luke 6:39-42
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.
Today we hear Jesus challenging those around him not too judge, and not to be hypocritical. Notice how you responded within yourself to the reading today…
Jesus speaks with vivid illustrations; A blind man leading another blind man and both falling into a pit, a disciple who puts themselves above the teacher; someone seeing a speck in another person’s eye, while they have a log in theirs that they can’t see.
Does my hypocrisy prevent me from having clear sight?
Do I put myself above another in my judgement of them?
Perhaps as you criticize others, you too have a log in your eye… As we listen to the reading again, ask God to reveal if this is the case for you at the moment in a situation in your life…
“ a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, poured into your lap”... Perhaps you can recall blessing from the Lord falling into your lap? Take a moment to thank God for the challenges and blessings that come from God’s love for us.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.