Word to the Wise
Monday, June 26, 2017 - Monday in the 12th Week in Ordinary Time
[Gen 12:1-9 and Matt 7:1-5]MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017 MONDAY IN THE TWELFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME [Genesis 12:1-9 and Matthew 7:1-9] "Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye." [Matthew] In various places I've been to preach, when this passage from the Sermon on the Mount shows up, I have gone looking for a rough piece of plank to pass around the congregation! Jesus' uses this image to call attention to our tendency to ignore our own faults while minutely noticing the faults of others. The exaggeration is obvious but the lesson requires it. Perhaps the most frequent failing I hear in the Sacrament of Reconciliation is "rash judgment." There are many psychological reasons for this failing, including envy, insecurity, etc. Whatever they are, the judgments need to be brought forward so that we can have a better view of ourselves and the reasons why we do this. This is the value of a good examination of conscience and a good spiritual director. The point is to recognize that love of God and neighbor is not about judgments but about real care. We do need to make decisions from time to time about work and relationships. Making sure that we have removed our "eye beams" is the first step to discernment that is truly caring and not "splinter picking!" AMEN
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