Reflection on Today’s Gospel Lk 6:39-42
TO BE A GUIDE, NOT A STAFFER
Today's Gospel inspired one of the most outstanding paintings by Peter Breughel, “The Parable of the Blind”. In the painting, we see a scene that the painter could often see on the roads of the 16th century Netherlands - a wandering group of blind beggars trying to help each other. But behold, the blind men leading the group topple over, and the procession is dragged along. Others stumble over the lying guide. Breughel expressed in his work the suffering of these blind paupers, but at the same time the truth about each of us, because that is why Jesus told this parable. None of us sees well, that is, we do not reach the truth about ourselves, about other people, about the world, and finally about God. Our mind is inherently limited. First of all, our eyesight is blurred by sin and culpable ignorance. So, do we have the right to show others what is good and how to act? And even more so, to point the way to God, to holiness?
Today, a common response to the teaching of the Church is: "You have no authority to speak to us about morality." The fact of scandalous or even criminal behavior of some priests, according to some, deprives the entire institution of the right to proclaim the truth about human dignity and moral principles which organize behavior in the area of sexuality for example.
Others believe that no man, no religion can grasp the mystery of God. So, a Christian should not claim to know the truth about Him and claim the right to speak on his behalf. Some critics of the Church may even use this parable.
None of us can grasp the truth about God who is infinite. A morality teacher who does not try to follow what he teaches is not credible. This is all true, although there is no logical justification for the claim that Person X's immoral behavior means that Catholics, clergy and laity cannot speak of the 6th commandment. We can and must pass on what we have received through the grace of faith.
The words of the Lord Jesus show that he assumes that his disciples, and therefore each of us, have the role of a guide. We are to help one another on the way to holiness. This is what the Church is for. However, in order to be a guide, one has to constantly cleanse the sight of one's soul, constantly convert. I need to remove the beam that may appear in my eye, or rather let Jesus remove it through the sacrament of Confession. If I want to help others, I will gladly and gratefully receive admonitions from them myself. When I miss this attitude, not only will I not help anyone, but by falling, I will drag others with me. They will stumble over me, like the blind in Breughl's painting.
One more reflection
" Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?" Psychologically, it is called the transference phenomenon: I do not see the evil in me, but I do see it and condemn it in others. Usually it is the case that this evil is in me and is greater and more rooted, but I do not realize it, but I will very penetratingly track down the lesser evil in others.
Let me give you the first example, when someone does not see the beam in his own eye but is outraged by the splinter in his neighbor's eye. Someone will not even put a finger to the common good, but he has a lot of evil to say when others are carrying out their social services. "Most criticism comes from people who are doing nothing" says folk wisdom.
And it is not only that we most often criticize our own mistakes in others, which we do not see in ourselves. Sometimes in others we criticize mistakes that are not in them, but with which we ourselves are burdened. The Book of Ecclesiastes (10: 3) expressly says this: " Even when walking in the street, the fool, lacking understanding, calls everyone a fool." And a folk proverb says: "The crooked eye sees everything crookedly."
The illustrative examples given by Jesus are very clear. When you want a change in the world - start with yourself! But have you wondered what to do with the desire to help others without being accused of hypocrisy? And how to be self-aware enough to notice and work on your own weaknesses? In short: do you have your own "strategy" to pursue holiness?
A hypocritical person is one who hides his true thoughts, feelings and actions just to present himself in a better light. A holy man, on the other hand, is one who stands in truth; and his intentions, decisions and deeds are directed to the service and glory of the Majesty of our God. It is up to you to decide which side you will take in every situation.
Listening to the words of the Gospel once again, ask the Holy Spirit to allow you to look at you through His eyes and help you answer the question: how can I get rid of all falsehood in my life and express even better the Truth that is Jesus? On the day of Pentecost, the Church received the Holy Spirit to enlighten our hearts and minds with the light of the Eternal Truth. Ask him not only now but as often as possible to lead you on the way of holiness.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george