Dear brothers and sisters, the words of the Lord Jesus today scratch our pride but heal our hearts. How easy it is to notice the limitations of others and how blind we are to our own miseries. Christ invites us to lay down the stone of judgment to welcome the grace of intimate conversion.
Lord Jesus, physician of our souls, purify our minds.
We often become harsh judges of our brothers and sisters.
We forget the beam that blinds our own eyes.
Grant us today a humble and sincere heart.
Clear our gaze from the hypocrisy that condemns.
Teach us to look at others as You look at them.
May Your mercy be the measure of our words.
Help us to correct ourselves before correcting our neighbor.
Holy Spirit, gift of the Father, pour charity into us.
Grant that our lips may offer blessings and not sentences.
Deliver us from the illusion of feeling better than others.
Make us builders of peace and of sincere communion.
Amen.
Today’s Gospel touches the core of our fraternal relationships. Jesus does not forbid fraternal correction, which is a spiritual work of mercy, but He condemns the hypocrisy of malicious judgment. Those who judge forget that they are saved sinners themselves. The Magisterical teaching reminds us that God alone knows the depths of the human heart. Before looking at another’s speck, we are called to a profound examination of conscience. Only a gaze purified by God’s forgiveness can help a brother rise, without pride but with authentic charity.
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