Friday of the Twenty-Third Week of Ordinary Time

Lectio

   Luke 6:39–42

Meditatio

“… then you will see clearly …”

   I first encountered a blind person when I was eleven years old. He was an entertainer, and my brother and I were invited to meet him. When we were introduced, the blind man reached out and took my hand. To this day I wonder how he knew where my hand was.

   In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses images and short parables of blindness to warn his disciples, and us, against deliberate blindness of heart. The description of the two blind persons leading each other and ending up in a ditch would be funny if it wasn’t so pitiful. Jesus is warning his disciples and us not to get lost in little things to the point that we fail to see God acting in our daily lives and become spiritually blind, just like the two people in the parable.

   Jesus challenges the disciples to apply his teaching not only intellectually, but also with their hearts and wills. He challenges us as well. If we take time for prayer, reflective reading of the Scriptures, and a daily examination on our relationships, we discover how today’s lesson applies to our lives. Jesus develops his teaching almost as if he anticipates our reasoning. How much clearer could he be with us? “Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.” First, we need to make sure we are on the right path, or at least admit we need to change directions before trying to set someone else straight. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be Christ in the world. Our Christian faith demands that we remove whatever blocks or blurs our vision of Jesus, because each of us is to be a light in a world of darkness. All we have to do is take the plank out of our own eye so we can see Jesus clearly and follow him.

Oratio

   Jesus, you challenge me to reflect on how I am living your word. Give me the courage to face those areas of my life that I am afraid to look at. I know you are with me so I won’t be walking alone. Remove the blindness that hinders me from seeing your action in my life. Lord, take away the planks that block me from receiving your love and mercy. May the light of your love shine in and through me. May I see with your eyes.

Contemplatio

   Jesus, I want to see you.

__

ORDINARY GRACE Weeks 18–34: Daily Gospel Reflections (By the Daughters of St. Paul)