He Can Remove All Trespasses

A Reflection on the Gospel for February 27th, 2022:
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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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.”
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This Gospel is proof that God knows every single thing about me because He is describing me in all my naked humanness here! Yep… that’s me… stumbling along, busily grumbling about all the specks I can see flying out of those I have to “put up with” today and dragging that log in my eye with me.

I read once that instead of looking for an “eye” doctor, it’s better to look for an “I” doctor. I desperately want to be a good tree so the fruit that I bear is sweet. To be that tree, I have to turn to the one true vine dresser. I am called to be pruned and to cling to the vine. Instead, I am blinded by the world around me, and I dangle there, letting the world’s ways toss me around. Every once in a while, I remember to turn my good eye to Him, steadfastly ignoring my bad eye with that log in it, hoping that no one really notices it.

When I see and allow myself to react to the specks in the eye of another, I can become resentful about perceived slights, or wallow in the feeling of false righteousness. It doesn’t take long for the specks of resentment dust that are in the air around me to fasten to the log I carry. It is then that I am called to see the “I” doctor and look at my own sinfulness.

My Catholic faith provides me with the beautiful sacrament of reconciliation. I have the opportunity any time I choose, to do a searching and moral inventory, bring the findings of it to the greatest physician of all through a confessor, and be reconciled with Him. All I have to do is look carefully at that log, acknowledge it, pull it out, hand it over — and resolve not to take it back. Reconciled to Him, I can use the lessons from carrying that log to lead others to Him.

I can’t be merciful to others and lead them to a relationship with Jesus if I am not in a state to receive His mercy. With the log in my eye, I am absolutely in danger of leading others into a pit. I have to be open to the grace of God and be very intentional about removing the log.


Lord, help me to release the stronghold I have on the sinful nature of my life. Open my eyes and remove the log, allowing me to receive Your forgiveness and once again walk in Your light. Help me to be intentional about loving the specks in the eyes of others — loving them as You see them, not as I would have them be. Keep me humble and open. Amen.




Sandy Graves

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