Sirach 27:4-7 Psalm 92 1st Corinthians 15:54-58 Gospel of Luke 6:39-45
When I was a fifth-grade teacher at a Catholic school, I had a poster in our classroom titled “The Many Faces of Jesus.” This artwork served as a reminder that we are all called to reflect Christ’s love to others, regardless of our cultural or historical backgrounds. It’s a fitting reminder in light of today’s readings—how do we see Christ in others, despite differences and even another’s failings as compared to our own limited view? What is the beam in our eye that impedes our ability to do God’s will?
Last Sunday’s gospel reminded us to show mercy to our neighbor and to offer pardon instead of condemnation. The readings today, especially from Luke’s gospel, invite us to undertake the important task of self-examination. We are called to remove the plank from our own eye before noticing the splinter in our brother’s eye (Luke 6:42). As a society, we are often quick to judge others and form opinions, yet we rarely acknowledge our own failings. The Book of Sirach reminds us that the Master Potter shapes us, urging us to be mindful of how we speak to others. It also cautions us to be careful with our words, as they can have a powerful impact.
This gospel, however, does not mean that we should refrain from making righteous and compassionate judgments of our neighbor. If we see someone in a difficult situation, we are called to offer our compassionate advice and support. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2478) reminds us to guard against the negative aspect of rash judgment, which Jesus warns against—where we place ourselves in a position of superiority over others. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul encourages us to remain firm and steadfast in our work for God, reminding us that the sting of death and sin no longer holds power over us when we turn to the victory that Jesus the Christ has shown us.
As we prepare for the holy season of Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday, it is beneficial to pray the Litany of Humility as one of many devotions. Our Lenten journey invites us to examine the depths of our hearts, to seek the log in our eye, and to strive to more closely reflect the image of Christ to others.
Litany of Humility
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, etc.
From the desire of being honored,
From the desire of being praised,
From the desire of being preferred to others,
From the desire of being consulted,
From the desire of being approved,
From the fear of being humiliated,
From the fear of being despised,
From the fear of suffering rebukes,
From the fear of being calumniated,
From the fear of being forgotten,
From the fear of being ridiculed,
From the fear of being wronged,
From the fear of being suspected,
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase
and I may decrease, etc.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
That others may be praised and I go unnoticed,
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
That others may become holier than I,
provided that I may become as holy as I should.
By Cardinal Merry del Val (1880).
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