A reading from the gospel according to Luke 6:39-42
39 Jesus told his disciples a parable:
“Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?
40 No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.
41 Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?
42 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.”
Reflection: Disciple
Good News: We can see clearly!
Pointers for reflection:
1. All of us are teachers in one way or another and whether or not we have finished a degree in education. Parents, guardians, elders and other people of influence often give instructions or guidance to children or younger people. Even to our friends and colleagues, we do influence them somehow. It is a good idea then to reflect on how well we influence or lead others. Do we make them better individuals or do we lead them to damnation?
2. Good relationship with other people means we must respect each other. Everyone has imperfection and everyone has something good to be appreciated. Let us focus on appreciation instead of criticism.
3. If we must criticize, let us do it with utmost sincerity. It is also a good thing to do it privately without humiliating the other person.
4. Let us live by example. We cannot tell others what to do when we cannot do it ourselves. We cannot give what we do not have. The best way to teach others is to show them, not tell them.
5. Jesus asks His disciples to become light to the world (Matthew 5:14). It means everyone of His disciples ought to light the path for others to become disciples too. To do that, they need to be fully trained in the ways of the Lord, that is, to be as humble and loving as their Master.
6. We pray that Jesus may grant us the eyes to see clearly the way and to understand the truth of His message.
