Some people are very good at finding fault with others. Even the slightest mistake could be used as ammunition for such people to belittle or accuse another. Some people find fault because they think they themselves are faultless and blameless, and they think that that gives them the right to teach others to be like them. Some people find fault because they are trying to hide something about themselves, and by finding fault with others, they hope that their own shortcomings would not be noticed. Have you been finding fault with others in one way or another?
In today’s Gospel, Jesus admonishes us: “Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own? How can you say to your brother, “Brother, let me take out the splinter that is in your eye,” when you cannot see the plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter that is in your brother’s eye.” When it seems so easy for us to find fault with others, are we being proud, conceited, arrogant or aloof towards others? Let us be reminded that we are not perfect and look honestly at ourselves, since there may be many areas of improvement which we could discover. Are we willing to change our attitude and behaviour, while admitting and addressing our failures and shortcomings?