Improve Yourself First

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. This is similar to what Jesus said. 

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? What is He reminding me today?

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-

Ps

See related reflection:

https://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2016/09/run-to-win.html

September 09, 2022

Friday of Week 23; St. Peter Claver

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FIRST READING

1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22b-27

Brothers and sisters:
If I preach the Gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it! If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my recompense? That, when I preach, I offer the Gospel free of charge so as not to make full use of my right in the Gospel. 

Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the Gospel, so that I too may have a share in it. 

Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 84:3, 4, 5-6, 12

R. (2) How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God! 

My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the LORD. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 

R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God! 

Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest in which she puts her young— Your altars, O LORD of hosts, my king and my God! 

R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God! 

Blessed they who dwell in your house! continually they praise you. Blessed the men whose strength you are! their hearts are set upon the pilgrimage. 

R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God! 

For a sun and a shield is the LORD God; grace and glory he bestows; The LORD withholds no good thing from those who walk in sincerity. 

R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!

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ALLELUIA

See John 17:17b, 17a

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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GOSPEL

Luke 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.”