February 29
Matthew 7.1-6
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
An odd question that came from this text was: If I have to remove the logs from my eye first, and knowing that we never get perfected till after the resurrection, so I will always have some specks (if not large branches and stumps), when will I be able to point out the speck my brother has? I know we can say that we are doing it because we love the person and want them to be better. We can say that we just want the best for others, so we want them to fix their little problems as well. We might even say we would want others to point out our specks.
It brings me to a different wondering. What would it look like if we were actually working to get rid of our planks, logs, stumps, and even our own little specks left over? What if we just worked on our own issues, not pointing out how bad the rest of the world is? I know there are problems out there, but I also find that when I look at my own and get to work on my things I can have a lot more grace for others. I also find that not only were mine planks and theirs specks. I find that their specks are smaller and less significant than I first though.
What if we each worked on our own things, and left it as invitational for others to figure out which of their things needed working on? Allowing the Holy Spirit to work in them to determine what they need to work on, without our having to be the Holy Spirit for them. Instead of directing another on what to change and how to change, I am changed and make room for people to change as the Spirit works in them. Giving us the uncomfortable place of seeing that others change at different rates and different orders than we do. And being gracious.
Which must bring me to the point of saying that I am just speaking to myself, and allowing others to listen in as I look at how I can live out this text. Saying that I am going to work at being changed and allowing others to change as the Spirit moves them. And working at being welcoming and encouraging to others who will change, or not change, as the Spirit moves them. I’ll work on being a bit better at loving the neighbours I am given, and be satisfied with the way others have determined to be the best followers of Jesus they can as well.
Song – Jesu, Jesu
Prayer
Gracious God, you have called us to be a new community in Christ, and yet we remain divided. Forgive us our fear, anxiety, prejudice, and misunderstandings. Strengthen our common bonds and deepen our resolve to promote the unity of your church. Amen.