Get The Log Out

A Reflection on the Gospel for March 3rd, 2019:
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 6.39-45 

Jesus told his disciples a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like their teacher.

“Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbour, ‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye.

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.

“Out of the good treasure of the heart, the good person produces good, and out of evil treasure, the evil person produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.”

---

As the culture of Christianity wanes, we are all called to be leaders of the faith. But what are we leading others to, what are we leading them from, and how are we doing it? Jesus was the greatest leader who ever lived. Not a word was uttered from His lips that wasn’t absolute truth and an arresting cause to call attention to. This bit of scripture chosen for today’s Gospel is no exception. He calls our attention to the sin that causes our short-sightedness—often to the point of blindness.

As a woman who teaches in many aspects of life, in my profession, as a coach, as a mother, and even through ministry, and also a woman who comes from a long line of preachers (and I don’t mean that in the ministerial sense), I have a tendency to instruct. Out of a deep desire to have all those who are dear to me know the profound love and mercy of God, this can commonly be the subject of my instruction. Am I living what I’m preaching, though?

Jesus turns our eyes inward before He asks us to move outward. I’ve caught myself on many occasions delivering a correction to my children, or redirecting parents I’m coaching at work, and mid-rant I realize I have actually, recently, made this very same mistake myself. Fear not! I would have caught my mistake and chastised myself for it… just as I caught my children’s mistake and chastised them for it. See the pattern? If we are unable to see clearly into our interior selves—into our motives, hurts, shortcomings, and gifts—we will be unable to clearly see, or lead, the other. How we see others is a direct reflection of the goings-on within our own hearts—a direct reflection of how we see ourselves. Our love for others must be born not only out of a love for God, but also out of a love for ourselves, because to fully love God is to love all that He is, and all that He is in. If we can open our hearts to receive the grace of God to see ourselves as He sees us, we would afford ourselves His mercy when we err. Our growth in tenderness toward ourselves will help us grow eyes of Truth for others. And the truth is, we all fail, we are all loved, and we are all called to lead out of this Love.

"Our love for others must be born not only out of a love for God, but also out of a love for ourselves, because to fully love God is to love all that He is, and all that He is in."

Tweet

So then, how do we learn to grow in tenderness toward ourselves, and thereby toward others? We spend time with Tenderness Himself. If we want to see ourselves as God sees us, we must take the time to know Him, to thank Him, and to listen to Him. Lent is the perfect time to closely examen our interior life, and to take simple steps toward making space for God’s love and mercy to dwell within. Let us let Him love us intimately this season of lent, and by His precious love, let us more gently lead one another to Him.

Lori MacDonald

---