Can a blind person guide a blind person?

Readings: 1^st: 1 Cor 9:16-19.22-27; Ps: 84; Gos: Lk: 6:39-42

This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico, the island of enchantment. He is the Chancellor of the Dioceses of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico; the Parish Priest of Parroquia la Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. For more details and comments contact him at:  canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today is the Friday of the twenty-third week of ordinary time. Today, Christ calls us to a simple examination of our way of life.

He made this call in the form of discourse and questions with his disciples. First, he asked: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?

Some of us like to guide and correct others. This could be because it gives us a lot of pleasure.  Also, it appears to enhance our status.

This tendency to dominate always moves us fast to see the flaws in others without taking time to evaluate ourselves first. Imagine how much of our conversation focuses on the faults and mistakes of those around us.

Of course, Christ did not deny the fact that people have faults. He invites us to imagine how many people we would hurt if we had a log attached to or eye while moving around, among others.

Therefore, today Christ warns us to be careful in judging others. Instead, we should be humble enough to look inwards before criticizing others.

God sees each of us from the inside. He sees us with a generous and compassionate gaze and does not despise or condemn us for our shortcomings and failings.

So, we must acknowledge that, at times our perspective and our view of ourselves and the world may need correction. Most importantly, we cannot be right all the time. This is because, as humans, we are vulnerable to mistakes, just like every other person.

So, let us ask the Lord to make us more aware of our limitations, faults, and inadequacies, so that we may become kind and more compassionate in dealing with others irrespective of how we see them.

Peace be with you all.

Maranatha!