Throwing some lumber around!

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time-Year C 

It is easier to criticize others and look at their faults and sins than mine. Instead, I would rather point the finger at you than take a cold hard look at myself and see where I need to change. If I can tear you down, I can feel better about myself... thank God I am not like You!

It is a lot of work to examine ourselves, and when we do, it is excruciating; we don't like what we see IF we actually see it. We can become quite blind when examining ourselves. 

I am essentially lazy. I don't want to put in the time to go through some spiritual exercises to improve myself. This Wednesday begins the Holy Season of Lent, and it is that time of year we love to "Give something up," but usually, it is trivial and meaningless for most people. Are we really better Christians at the end of Lent? For most, we are no better after than we were before. What did we really accomplish if we picked up where we left off before Lent began?

So, as I approach this season, maybe I can think about what I want to really change about myself; which sin is the most pressing? We all have our own bag of tricks, but what is mine? Is it Lust, or Anger, or Greed, or Laziness, or Gluttony, or Pride, or Envy?

These are just categories. I need to be watchful of all their minions, like sarcasm, flirting, wanting more of anything even though I am satisfied, being able to admit I am wrong. I could go on and on. I quickly realize that I don't just have a plank in my eye, but a whole darn forest.

So, as Lent approaches, maybe I will put down the spiritual tweezers to take out the splinter in your eye and fire up the chainsaw and work on my own lumber yard. God Help Me!