“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Over the past three months, I have become well acquainted with Zoom meetings. The online meeting platform has been used to hold meetings for work and stay connected to friends and family during our shelter at home time. I have noticed that in each of these meetings, even though I want to connect with others, my eyes focus on my own face. Perhaps you can relate? I see a hair out of place or a small blemish. It becomes very uncomfortable to be so aware of my own likeness.
Today’s reading demonstrates the uncomfortableness of self-examination. It is often easier to look at the faults of others instead of our own. Yet, the daily Examen invites us to do just that and more. It invites us to review the day prayerfully giving gratitude for God’s presence, acknowledging the things that brought joy and those that brought grief, asking the Holy Spirit to direct your attention (lovingly pointing out the log in your eye), and moving forward with hope to tomorrow.
How has God revealed himself through the daily Examen to you? Has the Examen offered you a Zoom view of yourself?
—Julia Vargas is the director of the Center for Service Learning at Rockhurst University.
—Steps of the Examen
Please share the Good Word with your friends!
