Sir 27:4-7
1 Cor 15:54-58
Lk 6:39-45

Know Yourself

To be a committed disciple of Christ we must really know ourselves. We must be aware of our gifts and our faults or weaknesses. This is important because as disciples we are to produce good deeds for others. In order to accomplish these good deeds, we have to have those good deeds be a part of our lives because we can’t give to others what we don’t first possess ourselves. The Gospel of Luke states bluntly that “the blind cannot lead the blind.”

The first reading from Sirach teaches us that what is seen or heard from our exterior person reflects what is present in our interior being. Evil actions reflect an evil interior. Good or positive words or actions reflect a good heart within us. We very often are aware of the negative aspects present in another person but are often blind to our own faults. The gospel reminds us of that truth. “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?”

The power in the words of scripture provides us with a map of how we are to live our lives as disciples of Jesus. We see Jesus as the ultimate teacher who teaches by his words and actions. Luke tells us that, “No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.” There is no better teacher than Jesus. The gospels are filled with examples of his goodness, his loving care and concern for others around him. In our society today, we need the example of Jesus to help us be a positive influence within our own circle of life. All the people we interact with should experience the care and concern of Jesus by the way we treat them.

Our society today does not provide us with many examples of caring for others or pointing out models to teach about living a good life and caring for others. In fact, if we’re not careful we can easily buy into the growing thought that only white American citizens are the only people of importance or worthy of caring. This kind of teaching is not what it means to be a believing, committed Christian. We must be the message of love and kindness in our hurting world. If we don’t speak out about injustice or act in a way that is not caring, we are complicit with the negative side.

Every time we read, reflect on and pray with the gospels that are teaching us about Jesus we become more trained in how to imitate him, to have Jesus as our model for living a good life. We may never be fully trained but effort does count! 

The Gospel Acclamation summarizes the message of today’s readings: “Shine like lights in the world as you hold on to the word of life.” The Word of Life is Jesus. We are to be reflections of that Light for everyone!

What might be some of the splinters or beams in your eye, in your interior being, that need removal?

In what ways do you show the care and concern of Jesus to others? What keeps you from speaking out against evil?