Gospel: Matthew 7:1-5
Do not judge; and you will not be judged. In the same way you judge others, you will be judged; and the measure you use for others will be used for you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, and not see the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Come, let me take the speck from your eye,’ as long as that plank is in your own? Hypocrite, remove the plank out of your own eye; then, you will see clearly, to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.
Reflection:
"Jesus challenges hypocrisy."
Christ’s parables sometimes use exaggeration for effect. Today’s Gospel is one such example. The exaggeration has a touch of humour to it, too. Jesus is pointing out that our moral blind spots can be great, to the point of being ridiculous, and yet, we still fail to spot them. Even with such a flaw we feel able to claim the moral high ground and criticize someone else for a tiny misdemeanour. “How can you say to your brother, ‘Come, let me take the speck from your eye,’ as long as that plank is in your own?” And so, Jesus challenges hypocrisy. Our life of faith should have an integrity about it, coupled with a self-awareness, so that we correct our own faults before challenging others. The saints teach us that selfknowledge is key to spiritual growth, since if we are unaware of our faults and failings, we cannot seek God’s help to change. A daily examination of conscience is an important part of this growing self-awareness since it allows us to give thanks for the good and ask pardon for the bad, and to ask for God’s grace to be more faithful disciples.
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