Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Audio version available for subscribers. Subscribe
Today's Word
2 Kgs 17:5-8, 13-15a, 18; Mt 7:1-5 Read at USCCB
Real Talk
The Kings narrator's summary of why Samaria fell to Assyria is brutal in its simplicity: they were warned by every prophet, they didn't listen, they went after worthless things and became worthless. The accumulated rejection of every warning. Generations of it.
Jesus says: stop judging so you won't be judged. The standard you apply is the standard that will be applied to you. And: why are you so focused on the splinter in your brother's eye when there's a beam in your own? The beam doesn't obscure vision generally - it obscures vision specifically in the direction of the fault you share.
Remove the beam first. That's the instruction. Not: stop noticing. Remove the beam, then you can actually help.
One Prayer
Lord, show me the beam I am not noticing. Give me the self-knowledge that produces compassion rather than judgment. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.
Your Challenge
Name the fault you have been seeing most clearly in someone else this week. Now name the beam-version of that fault in yourself. Work on the beam for the rest of this week before returning to the splinter. What does that work look like?
You are not alone. Submit your intentions and they'll be carried to Holy Hour this Sunday.
Take to Holy Hour