Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: September 13, 2024

Date: Memorial of St. John Chrysostom

Scripture Text:  Luke 6:39-42

Jesus 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 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."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today continues our reading from Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. Today’s passage deals with our own needs if we are to serve Christ and our sisters and brothers. We must seek to grow in our knowledge of Christ and the will of the Father and we must be authentically honest about ourselves, especially about our own spiritual needs and failings.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I live the way Christ calls me to live? Do I live the way I insist others live?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, your love for all of humanity and your desire that we might have life and have it in abundance with You necessitated your gift of your beloved Son to humanity as our loving and selfless redeemer. Send your Spirit to guide our minds and hearts so that we might fully embrace Christ’s teachings, revelations, and example. Grant that we may be true disciples of Christ, following in His footsteps as He leads us home to You in loving mercy. Help us to be guided always by love of You and love for one another. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.