Sinners and splinters

In today’s Gospel (Luke 6:39-42), our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ strongly challenges those of us sinners who try to help others.

Can a blind person guide a blind person?
Will not both fall into a pit?

...

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.

We need to examine ourselves constantly, asking the Holy Spirit to illuminate our hearts so that we may be purged of both the known errors and the hidden faults within our hearts, minds, habits, and perceptions.

Yet we are not alone in this: every member of the Church – from Pope Benedict to the lowliest Christian – must do the same.

We are all imperfect, yet we are all called to perfection and we are all in this together.

We must help each other, while all the time being very careful that the guidance we share with others is truly of God and not our own.

As I have said before, we are all sinners – our eyes are full of splinters, wooden beams, and all kinds of lumber – but we are all called to holiness in Christ and by God’s grace to help each other on the way.