Lk 6:39-42 Mercifully TreatedJesus told his disciples a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?”
How quick I am to judge! How forceful I am to push someone away! As fast as a friend reaches out to help me (and help me at my request), I can turn on them and claw them to death. It is a sign of the times. Today, we are all very hesitant to get involved or to make a difference. Why? God forbid I say the wrong thing! God forbid I give the wrong advice! The reason why we don’t reach out is because we have been burned before. If States had to pass a law known as the “Good Samaritan Law” (to protect the Good Samaritans were getting sued), then you can understand why no one likes to get involved. Even Mr. Incredible was sued by someone who didn’t ask to be saved!
“I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief. Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1Tim 12:-14)
I can never forget how the Lord treats me: mercifully, compassionately, and patiently. I have noticed that those who judge harshly and quickly and condemningly have not gone to confession in a very long time. It’s not always the case, but it is the common case! May God forgive the soul who rush to conclusions, to insults and injury and frequents the Sacrament of Confession! What a tragedy! What an insult to the Lord! When the two stand together on Judgment Day, I believe the one who was ignorant of this Sacrament will be better treated than the one who took it for granted.
A month ago, a woman told me that she was thinking of leaving the Church because of the scandals. I reminded her that either she can be a part of the solution or depart from the solution. I perfectly understand where she is coming from. But after much thought and prayer, I believe and am certain that the Church is the only solution to the world’s problems, because it is the only institution that can turn a sinner into a Saint. The failings of the Church are the failings of sinners; and like it or not, we are all sinners! “He who is without sin may cast the first stone.” I know that Saints call themselves sinners. But I have never heard politicians claim ignorance or mistakes! What a difference!
This wedge is becoming ever wider with time. The secular world recognizes only certain scandals, like Church scandals, and turns a blind eye to their own. They don’t see the legalization of divorce, euthanasia, embryonic research, same-sex marriage and adoption, access for teenagers to abortion, abortion itself and so many other scandals as scandals. For them, these abuses are human rights!
Divorce first reappeared in much of Europe after the Protestant Reformation. Nazi Germany was the first nation to legalize euthanasia. Abortion was first legal in Communist Russia before it became legal in the United States. Same-sex marriage and drugs were first legalized in the Netherlands. I believe prostitution was first legalized in modern Germany. Adult pornography is a billion dollar industry. And finally, war after war after war! Five major conflicts in ten years! All in the name of human rights!
“How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye’, when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”
The Catholic Church considers her scandals to be just that: a scandal - a horrific crime against children (humanity) and a grave sin before God! I am waiting for the rest of the world to catch up. In the meantime, the Lord (and His Church) treats the world’s scandals with mercy; unlike some who speak against Him and His Bride with insults and vulgarities.
Salvation history is constantly repeating itself.
