Gospel (Lk 6:39-42)

Jesus also told them a parable:

“Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but every one when he is fully taught will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.”

Commentary

“To follow Christ – that is the secret,” Saint Josemaria said. “We must accompany him so closely that we come to live with him, like the first Twelve did; so closely, that we become identified with him.”^[1]

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but every one when he is fully taught will be like his teacher.” A disciple of Christ aspires, as an ideal encompassing every corner of one’s life, to be like the Teacher. That is how the saints have lived and taught others to live, and that is our daily experience as well. When in our prayer the Holy Spirit helps us glimpse a feature of Jesus’ life or an attitude of his that we can incorporate into our daily struggle, we are filled with joy and the desire to identify ourselves more closely with Him. And hence we need to put care into our formation, to have a true desire to grasp more deeply the teaching of our Lord and his Church. Time spent in our own formation is time that bears fruit in love for God and neighbor.

Jesus continues to instruct us on how to treat our neighbor. Every Christian is called to be a guide and, in some way, also a teacher, to the extent that we are identified with Christ. The light of the Holy Spirit helps us to get to know ourselves, purifying our gaze, cleansing our soul with contrition and God’s grace. The humility that comes from seeing ourselves with the loving look of our Lord enables us to lead others along the path of imitating Christ. Only when we face the truth about ourselves can we correct others with authenticity.

Jesus abhors hypocrites, those who judge others without love and understanding, those who seek to be well regarded by others, without really trying to face their own defects. This is the “log” that blocks the hypocrite’s vision. God save us from Jesus’ strong reproach.

^[1]Saint Josemaría, Friends of God, no. 299.