First Reading - 1 Corinthians 9:16-19,22-27
Gospel - Luke 6:39-42
In the first reading, St Paul speaks about his mission to proclaim the Gospel. He says, “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” For Paul, preaching is not simply a job or a responsibility that he has chosen for himself. It is a mission entrusted to him by God.
Paul also explains that he has made himself “all things to all” for the sake of the Gospel. He adapts himself to different people, not because he is compromising the Gospel, but because he wants to reach them and lead them to Christ.
Then Paul uses the image of an athlete. “Every athlete exercises discipline in every way.” An athlete does not become successful simply by having talent. Training, self-control, perseverance, and sacrifice are necessary.
Paul applies this principle to Christian life. If an athlete exercises discipline for a prize that eventually passes away, how much more should we discipline ourselves for the prize that does not perish?
This prepares us for the Gospel, where Jesus speaks about seeing clearly.
He asks, “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?”
Jesus is not speaking only about physical blindness. He is speaking about spiritual blindness—the inability to recognize our own weaknesses while being very quick to recognize the weaknesses of others.
Then Jesus gives a striking image: “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?”
It is easy to see the splinter in another person's eye because it is in front of us. But the beam in our own eye may be much harder to recognize.
This is one of the great dangers of spiritual life. We can become experts in identifying the faults of others while remaining strangers to our own hearts.
We may criticize someone for being impatient while we ourselves are impatient. We may complain about another person's pride while refusing to admit our own. We may speak about someone else's lack of charity while our own words are hurting people.
Jesus is not saying that we should never help or correct another person. In fact, he says that after removing the beam from our own eye, we will be able to see clearly enough to help our brother or sister.
The order is important: first ourselves, then others.
This connects beautifully with St Paul's teaching about discipline. Paul does not simply preach to others; he disciplines his own life. He understands that the Gospel must first shape the person who proclaims it.
That is a challenge especially for anyone who has responsibility for others. Whether we are parents, teachers, priests, religious, leaders, or simply members of a community, our influence becomes stronger when our life supports our words.
People do not only listen to what we say. They also observe how we live.
Paul says that he disciplines himself so that, after preaching to others, he himself will not be disqualified. He knows that it is possible to speak about the Gospel without allowing the Gospel to transform one's own life.
This is why today's readings call us to humility.
Before we ask, “What is wrong with that person?” we should ask, “What is God showing me about myself?”
Before we correct someone, we should ask, “Have I prayed for this person?”
Before we criticize, we should ask, “Am I helping this person become better, or am I simply expressing my frustration?”
And before we try to lead others, we should ask, “Am I allowing Christ to lead me?”
The Christian life requires constant self-examination. Like an athlete, we need discipline. We need to train our hearts through prayer, patience, forgiveness, self-control, and charity.
There will always be something in us that needs conversion.
Perhaps the “beam” in our eye is pride. Perhaps it is anger, jealousy, resentment, impatience, the desire to control others, or the need to be recognized. Whatever it may be, Jesus does not ask us to become discouraged. He asks us to allow him to remove it.
When Christ heals our own blindness, something beautiful happens: we begin to see others differently.
Instead of seeing only their mistakes, we begin to see their struggles. Instead of judging immediately, we begin to understand. Instead of condemning, we begin to accompany. Instead of asking, “Why is this person like this?” we begin to ask, “How can I help this person?”
That is the difference between judgment and Christian correction.
Today, let us take seriously Paul's words: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel.” But let us also remember that the most powerful preaching is not always done with words. Our patience can preach. Our forgiveness can preach. Our humility can preach. Our willingness to admit our mistakes can preach.
May the Lord give us the courage to look honestly into our own hearts. May he remove the beams that prevent us from seeing clearly. And may he give us the discipline to keep growing in holiness, so that our lives may become a credible witness to the Gospel we proclaim.
Then, with greater humility and clearer vision, we will be able not only to see others more mercifully, but also to help them find their way toward Christ.
0 Comments