The WORD Today: Judging others (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? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,' when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother's eye. "A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks."
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In the gospel, Jesus is presented as seeing both words and actions as reflective of inner disposition. Believers are invited to be prudent in choosing a guide. This means that we have to evaluate carefully what our leaders say and do, and see whether there is congruence between their preaching and their way of life. In a situation where the leader is wicked or simply dumb, failure to do so can very well spell disaster. If a blind person attempts to serve as a guide of another blind person, there is a big likelihood that both of them will fall into a pit.

The gospel also reminds us to reflect on our own failures, weaknesses, and limitations, to accept these and learn our lesson. In so doing, we become less judgmental and more understanding of others' frailties. At the same time, backed by the wisdom gained from our experience, we can lead others to change for the better, on the way of conversion. Again we do this as living witnesses - by our words and deeds.

A well-known lay preacher once shared that when he was young, he was sexually molested by two male confreres on separate occasions. One was a youth leader whom he saw leading the morning prayer just a few hours after his dastardly act. It was the most despicable sight he had ever seen in his whole life. But he learned to forgive. Truly he has taken to heart Jesus' call for forgiveness on the cross. This preacher is both popular and effective because he is credible. And he is credible because his words flow from the fullness of his heart.

SOURCE: "365 Days with the Lord," ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 8907130; E-mail: stpauls@skyinet.net; Website: http://www.skyinet.net/~stpauls/