Gospel Reading for June 23, 2025 – Matthew 7: 1-5
SUPERIORITY
Jesus said to his disciples: “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.”
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Why are we judgmental? Where is this coming from?
Being judgmental, or negatively judging others can give us a sense of SUPERIORITY over others, or it may also be a way to deflect attention from our own shortcomings. Sometimes even, we judge others according to our own past experiences. We think that what they are going through are the same with what we ourselves experienced and therefore, make our conclusions. Having a sense of SUPERIORITY does not mean we are superior. Far from it even. Having superiority complex is often a defense mechanism for an underlying inferiority complex. So, why be judgmental at all? It will not help us or the one we are judging to be better persons.
As Jesus says, instead of looking at the mistakes/sins of others, why don’t we look at ourselves? Surely, there will be a lot to see, and a lot of room to improve ourselves!
Lord Jesus, help us keep our focus on you, so we may more and more, become like you!
