Posted by The WORD in other words (2010) by Sister Marichu Gacayan SSpS – Holy Spirit Convent, Quezon City
Friday 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
As I reflected on today’s Gospel, I was reminded of an important lesson from the early years of my religious formation: learning how to deal with conflict in community life and how to offer sisterly correction with charity and humility.
One of my greatest struggles during those years was recognizing my own faults. It was much easier to notice the mistakes of a fellow sister and to place all the blame on her. Whenever conflicts arose in the community, our formator would ask a simple but challenging question: “What was your contribution to the situation?”
That question always made me stop and reflect. Looking honestly at myself was not easy. Yet, when I opened my heart to God’s grace and became humble enough to acknowledge my shortcomings, I began to accept not only my own weaknesses but also those of others. I gradually realized that, no matter how right I thought I was, I always had some contribution to the conflict. Recognizing my own faults helped me become more understanding, more forgiving of others’ limitations, and more compassionate when offering sisterly correction.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus, the compassionate Lord, reminds us to examine ourselves before judging others. He says: “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own” (Luke 6:42). He challenges us to free ourselves from self-righteousness and judgmental attitudes, and instead to cultivate humility and mercy.
Jesus also calls us to reveal His compassionate love, especially toward those who may be rejected, difficult, or unacceptable within our families, communities, or society. Throughout the Scriptures, He consistently reaches out to those considered sinners and outsiders. He dines with tax collectors (Luke 19:1-10), speaks respectfully with the Samaritan woman (John 4:7-26), and mercifully forgives the woman caught in adultery, saying: “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more” (John 8:11).
Jesus looks upon people not with condemnation but with love and compassion. His acceptance opens the way to repentance, forgiveness, healing, and transformation. As St. Paul reminds us: “Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ” (Ephesians 4:32).
The Gospel invites us, therefore, to imitate the heart of Christ. Before correcting others, let us first allow God to correct us. Before judging others, let us first examine our own hearts. For only those who have experienced God’s mercy can truly become instruments of His mercy.
Prayer
God of compassion, open our eyes whenever we are blinded by self-righteousness and judgment. Let Your Holy Spirit guide us as we examine our own hearts. Give us the humility to acknowledge our sins and weaknesses, so that we may reveal Your mercy, compassion, and forgiveness to all whom we encounter each day. May we see others as You see them and love them as You love them. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
