"The Lenten Pilgrimage" - Day 13

Wednesday, March 3rd 

   “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?” 

                                                                                                                                  Matthew 7:3

     The Season of Lent calls us to engage in the inner work necessary for a life of righteousness and holiness.  Though a holy life is ultimately the result of God’s work in us, we are called to engage in those spiritual practices that can open our hearts to God’s renewing work in us.

      And it’s important for each of us to remember that our journey toward holiness requires a significant amount of self-awareness and honesty.  We are called to both conviction and confession.  Lent shines the light on those untended places in our own souls.  Our concern must be the problem of sin that remains in our own lives.

      In other words, our focus must not be the speck in our neighbor’s eye, but the sequoia lodged in our own. 

Prayer

     Dear Christ of the cross, humbly before you we bow.  Like every time before, we come to you now with empty hands.  We can make no claim to your grace, we are not entitled to receive your forgiveness.  All we have is you.  We place our hope and trust in you, walking in the assurance of your promises.  Indeed, we are sinners, poor and needy.  Help us to cast our gaze at the sin we harbor within us.  Free us from our tendency to judge others.  In your name we pray.  Amen.