Friday 13 September 2024

Today is Friday the 13th of September, the feast of Saint John Chrysostom, in the 23rd week of Ordinary Time. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing Aveugle de Coeur: “Blind in heart since my birth, I come to you, Light of the world…. Let me live as a child of light”. As you listen, spend some time asking the Lord to open your eyes to what God wants you to see. Ask God to shine God’s light into your life. 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. In today’s reading, Jesus is teaching about judging others and the hypocrisy of not noticing our own imperfections. How do these words of Jesus impact you? Can you recall a time recently when you’ve been critical of another person? Remember before the Lord the words you said or the thoughts you had. There is a big difference between a small speck in another’s eye and having a log in your own eye. Jesus is using a vivid and perhaps funny metaphor… those around him might have laughed. But perhaps we can imagine a little discomfort as they noticed the truth in his words. Take a moment to ask the Lord to help you locate any “logs” in your own eye… perhaps something in your life that might affect the way you see and judge others. There could be a hardness of heart or a bitterness… or maybe a time when you yourself were unfairly judged or criticised. As you hear the reading again, try to receive them as if the Lord were saying these words to you personally. Take a few moments to respond to the Lord, perhaps asking for a gentle healing or a “log removal” of something that is affecting your relationships with others. What does the Lord want to say or do for you today? 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.