The WORD today reminds me that God wants us to fix ourselves
first before fixing others.
In
airplanes, we are told by the crew that in case of emergencies, we should first
put on our oxygen mask before helping out others. This makes a lot of sense. We
cannot and should not help other people put on the oxygen mask if we ourselves
are not wearing it. We may teach the person the wrong way. And we may be
compromising ourselves and others. We cannot effectively help others if we are
not safe ourselves.
Correction
should first be done on oneself, then others.
In
the gospel, Jesus tells us to fix ourselves before helping others or pointing
the mistakes of others. I believe this has two effects – first is to remind us
that we too are imperfect, so we should not be feeling good on helping others
or pointing out their mistakes, for we also have our own mistakes. Second is to
make sure our hearts are in the proper place, that we can see clearly to help
out and point out to others how they can improve.in as much as one who has
problems with his own eyes cannot effectively help someone else, we cannot help
out others or point out their mistakes or sins if we ourselves have grave sins
we should take care of.
God
is forgiving. We just need to humble ourselves and be right with him. and when
we are right with him, when we have confessed and aligned ourselves with him,
when our hearts are one with him, then we can effectively help out others.
How
do I see myself? Am I quick to point out problems or imperfections of others?
Do I realize I am imperfect too? Am I willing to come to God and ask him to
help me change first before helping others improve?
May
we be reminded to fix ourselves first before looking at what needs fixing in
others.
Father
God,
Thank
you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Friday.
Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I am quick to find fault
in others, because I am too ashamed or too lazy to correct my own faults. Sorry
for distracting myself and focusing on others instead of focusing in myself
first. help me humble myself and stay good with you. as I try this, I know you
will equip me and enable me to look at others with love and help them improve
their own selves. Amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
September 13 2019
«
Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of
the Church
Lectionary: 441
Lectionary: 441
Reading
1 1 TM 1:1-2, 12-14
Paul,
an Apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our savior
and of Christ Jesus our hope,
to Timothy, my true child in faith:
grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father
and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord,
because he considered me trustworthy
in appointing me to the ministry.
I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man,
but I have been mercifully treated
because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief.
Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant,
along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
and of Christ Jesus our hope,
to Timothy, my true child in faith:
grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father
and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord,
because he considered me trustworthy
in appointing me to the ministry.
I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man,
but I have been mercifully treated
because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief.
Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant,
along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Responsorial
Psalm PS
16:1B-2A AND 5, 7-8, 11
R.(see
5) You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you."
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R.You are my inheritance, O Lord.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R.You are my inheritance, O Lord.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R.You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you."
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R.You are my inheritance, O Lord.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R.You are my inheritance, O Lord.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R.You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Alleluia SEE
JN 17:17B, 17A
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LK
6:39-42
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."
"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."
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