What is my blind spot?

September 9, Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest
Daily Readings: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22b-27 & Gospel: Luke 6:39-42

“Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?”

How does a blind person guide another blind person? Most often we are fond of finding fault in others, members in our own family or community, people that we work with, those that we encounter every day, and we fail to acknowledge our own defects. We like to guide and correct people. We are quick to see the flaws of the other, without realizing that we carry the same flaws ourselves. But, could it be that the splinter we see in the other is the same splinter or defect that we fail to see in ourselves, our own blind spots?

“Remove the wooden beam from your eye first.” But how do we do that? Jesus’ parable is an invitation for us to come in all humility to examine ourselves first and acknowledge our own shortcomings before we criticize the other. For Christians who are in the ministry of teaching and forming other Christians, this is very important. Like Jesus our Teacher, we need to be role models.

After all, are we ready to gaze at the other with kindness and encouragement, just like Jesus did with the rich young man who found it difficult to give up his treasures on earth for the Kingdom? He doesn’t condemn, but looks at us with compassion. Are we ready to do as He does, not making quick judgments?

Instead of focusing on the shortcomings of the other, are we also ready to embrace a spirituality of blessing, giving attention rather to the best in the other, helping to build up the other?

Today, let us pray for the grace of humility and courage. Let us come before Jesus and see how He looks at us with kindness, never demanding but patiently waiting for us to lay before him all our shortcomings. Then, we can approach our neighbor with that same look of kindness and compassion.