Luke 6:39-42

        Can I help you with that?

          39 He also told them a parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but every one when he is fully taught will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, `Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in  your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your  brother's eye.

          Whose job is it to point out all the flaws in our character? Whose job is it to point out that this or that is wrong with us? Surely we'd get tired of hearing the litany of seeming complaints and shortcomings if someone was in charge of that job.

           This reading would tell us that no one has that job except for ourselves. As important as it is that we know we are loved, that it is important to know how good we are and how wonderful a gift we are from God to this world, it is also important for us to know that no matter how hard we try we are not perfect. We are not God. We need to spend our time here on earth as much in growing and trying to perfect who we are as well as loving others and sharing the goodness that God wanted us to share.

          To admit our faults or mistakes does not mean that we are bad people. It does not diminish our self worth or value. It simply means we are growing and that we are on our journey to wholeness.  The problem arises when we are more interested in helping others with problems we see in them than we are in helping ourselves. Perhaps worse, is when we are convinced we have no problems, we have no room to grow because we have already reached our potential or our own state of perfection. If we think that, we are probably dead.

           Accept our innate goodness and that we are loved but accept that we are on a  journey to wholeness because we have not arrived and we should help ourselves in this regard before we commit to helping others. 

           So look in the mirror and say, brother can I help you with the log in your eye?