Friday 12 September 2025 - The log in your own eye

Friday 12 September 2025

Today is Friday the 12th of September, in the 23rd week of Ordinary Time. Paul Zach sings, ‘Create in Me’. Create in me a clean heart, O Lord Create in me a clean heart, O Lord Against you only I have sinned Done evil in your sight But you have shown me what I’ve done With mercy in your eyes Then wash my shame and guilt away My weary soul renew From all my sinning turn your face Let me return to you Create in me a clean heart, O Lord Create in me a clean heart, O Lord So I will give you what you ask A humble, broken heart A spirit burning down to ash Within your flame, O God And this will be your mercy, Lord Transforming all of me Til every act and every word Your love and glory speaks Create in me a clean heart, O Lord Create in me a clean heart, O Lord Have mercy on me According to your endless love Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 6:39-42 [Jesus] 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. You’re invited to recognise your own faults before seizing on those of your neighbour. What failings or weaknesses of your own are you inclined to overlook, or to cover up? It is generally thought that Jesus spent much of his life on earth as a carpenter. Does that add anything to his talk here of logs and specks or splinters? In listening again, notice the lines about disciples and teachers. How does that fit into, or add to, the rest of this passage? Luke 6:39-42 [Jesus] 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. Parables are meant to keep you thinking, not to have obvious, one-line meanings. Invite Jesus to show you what more he has to tell you in this story. 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