GOSPEL MESSAGE & RECORDING
Have you ever seen a Geode Rock? On the outside, it is a certain color but if you cut it in half various colors are formed into crystals on the inside, including completely hollow areas. The rock looks different from the inside than it does from the outside. We as humans are the same, figuratively speaking. On the outside, we are a certain color with distinct physical features, but we look different on the inside; I am not speaking in biological terms but rather in spiritual terms. That is, on the inside, we can find what we call: our personality, our spiritual life, our needs, and our desires. They are an outworking of various circumstances and situations that we have experienced in our life. Our mental, physical and emotional conditions all play a vital role in the condition of our “inside” being.
The Gospel reading today Jesus instructs us ‘to take the log out of our own eyes before we try to take the splint out of our neighbors' eyes.’ (St. Luke 6: 39-45) First, let us think about the figurative language that Jesus is using: having a log in our eye. That would mean that we wouldn’t be able to see correctly. Obviously! In other words, we would be “blind” to the fact that others are created in the image and likeness of God. Conversely, if we didn’t have a log in our eye, then we would see that others are created in the image and likeness of God and therefore valuable and precious in the sight of God. The person with the log in their eye will only see the exterior of a person and never the interior. Seeing, acknowledging, that someone has an “interior” an “inside” means that we would have searched our own and come to terms with the fact that we are sinners in need of great repentance. So, then, how do we take the log out of our eye and work on seeing the interior of a person? We can do this in two ways: deconstructing and constructing.
Deconstructing: This means that we must first look inside ourselves and write down our sins and also write down how we can best overcome those sins. The Bible teaches that we are all sinners. Because we are Christians does not mean that we cease to be sinners. We are always sinners. This constant recognition of our sinful state should bring us to a state of continuous repentance. I am not saying that we should go around crying all the time, but rather, a self-awareness that we need God and should love God with all our heart and mind. If we do this we will feel as though we are nothing but a sinner in the presence of an all-holy God. Secondly, we should recap, that is, look back and see the circumstances and situations that have caused us to be the person that we are today. When we recap, we can sympathize with others, because we know how hard life’s journey can be and thus we do not judge or criticize. A sinner can never judge another sinner.
Constructing: means that we pray for others rather than talk about them, judge them, or make our assessments about them. Our Lord Jesus calls us to love our enemies and pray for those that hurt us. If there is a sin issue that should be addressed then that should be done in a loving and caring way. Finally, we should care for others when the situation permits. Meaning, be there for them, rather than pointing out their faults and sins. I am not saying we should be complacent toward sin. Indeed, we need to let others know when sin can be damaging and hurtful. But ultimately we are called to bring others to Christ and help them overcome their sinful struggles through the love, grace, and mercy of God. A heavy hand is seldom needed, but a loving hand is always needed. Meaning, when in doubt go with the loving hand; and then pray for that person. If the Lord leads you, guide them through the scriptures and through the sacraments of the church on how to live a life of wholeness and restoration.