Mt 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 doesn’t condone faults, but to pass judgment on others without accepting one’s own faults is pharisaical. Most often our judgment of others is wrong because primarily, we cannot accurately see clearly their motives and secondly, we are hypocritical, if we don’t apply that standard to ourselves. God is the best judge for he alone sees man’s heart.
People seek accolades and a pat on the back. This is the worldly way, the upward mobility. “A little praise raises my spirits, and a little success excites me. It takes very little to raise me up or thrust me down.” (Henri Nouwen) But when others bring out our own faults, we retaliate ad hominem, (principle of retaliation). The truth is that what we dislike in others are the faults that we possess. When you point an accusing finger, there are three fingers pointing back to you. So, look at your own face in the mirror!
Two men went to church. One says, “Thank you, Lord that I’m not like this man who’s ugly and poorly clothed. You know I contribute regularly to your church.” The older man prays, “Mea culpa, Lord. Forgive me. I’m the teacher of this young man.”
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