Double Vision
Do you ever wonder what people notice about you when they look at you? Do they see your perfections or your imperfections?
Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, "Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye", when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye.- Luke 6:41-42
Today's reading from Luke's Gospel has us look at ourselves with the same jaundiced eye that we use to see others.
If we are critical of others and see only their flaw and faults, how then do they see us?
Chances are they will see flaws we miss when we see ourselves in a mirror. Why is that? What makes us all so critical of each other?
There is someone who comes to the food pantry who is quick to assume he is being judged by others. He often requests another helping of what we are serving and then wants more to take home.
He looks closely at the portions given and will make comments if he feels his portion is less than that of others.
Well he was not around for a few days, so yesterday when he was leaving he wanted a triple portion to make up for the days he wasn't there.
No matter what he is served, he finds fault and blames it on prejudice against him.
I wonder, if he could see himself from our perspective would he see what we see?
On the other hand, if I could see the world through his eyes, how would it look?
Whatever is familiar to me, whatever I encounter in the world, I will project on what is new, so that all becomes as I have come to see it.
Another way to look at it is this. What I see is a reflection of how others treated him. So, is what he sees wrong?
Perhaps I should look at what he sees carefully and ask myself if we are failing to see the log in our eyes when we serve.
It is not an easy task, what Jesus demands of us. It requires openness and a willingness to clear the slate with each encounter, making ourselves vulnerable and humble.
No wonder we have a hard time getting along. The baggage we carry is too heavy.
More to come...