Having noticed the degradation of my eyesight I prayed (that’s what you do…) and gave serious consideration to Jesus’s rhetorical question in today’s gospel: ‘Can one blind man guide another?’ As my prayer didn’t seem to be working, I went to Specsavers where I had my eyes tested and consequently got new glasses. My gaze is so sharp now that I could laser-cut steel if I were Superman. Unfortunately, the only ‘super’ thing about me is that I’m super fallible and for that reason, the rest of today’s gospel remains firmly applicable to me: ‘Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice 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.’
But, joking aside, is Jesus telling us to shut up and be quiet about someone else’s attitudes, behaviour, words or actions until our own are squeaky clean and immaculate? Were we to follow religiously these instructions we wouldn’t be able to tell anyone anything other than give empty praises and shallow compliments. Well, that actually seems to be the direction of travel in public life… On the face of it, this sounds like a recipe for a nice, civilised, pleasant way to coexist. Prizes for participation – the simplest example of such an attitude – might look like a good idea in theory but in fact, they make it harder to discern the true strengths and weaknesses of individuals. Unchallenged views and perceptions – by definition subjective – become standards; unquestioned beliefs conveniently replace facts. Unfortunately, such an approach doesn’t change reality but it’s a recipe for decline and deterioration as individuals and as a society. And yet, today’s gospel reading is the continuation of last Sunday’s that finished with this call: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged” (Luke 6:37)
Well, it looks like I’m effectively raging against Jesus’ teachings… But I’m not. In his speech, Jesus addressed a specific attitude as wrong and we are going to find out what that attitude is and how to avoid mixing it up with one that is desirable; in fact, indispensable. Thankfully, our language helps us to make such a distinction quite easily. Assessment is the main tool in our mental toolbox that we use all the time; sometimes more consciously, most of the time instinctively. Our choices, decisions, actions, reactions – virtually everything we do is a result of a process of gauging available information and weighing up the pros and cons. A simple act of purchasing a pair of shoes is the final result of processing available information about their look, comfort, price and so on. Driving a car requires constant assessment of driving conditions in front, behind and the sides of the vehicle as well as the car itself – unless you stupidly check your phone while driving. Everything we do is a result of personal assessment. The preferable source of information on which the assessment is based ought to be hard facts – doing so results in reasonable decisions and choices. However, self-assessment can be flawed. We might not get all the necessary facts; our perception might be wrong; our abilities, capabilities or knowledge may be limited. That’s why input from someone else can be very useful and helpful to see more, or from a different perspective or point of view… That’s the way to advance, to develop or to make better decisions. Professional sport offers us a brilliant example of how good managers or coaches – often less able-bodied than their charges – can help improve the performance of the athletes they look after. External assessment is an invaluable resource that we should actively seek.
To be in a position to offer your assessments to others you need to walk a mile in their shoes. Only by understanding their situation, circumstances, experiences and so on can we offer help that addresses the real cause of any concern or shortcoming. The main motive for taking such action is the other person’s well-being (in the broadest sense) rather than my personal convenience or venting my negative emotions. This kind of empathetic attitude is much harder than being judgmental. The latter means sticking on a negative, usually harsh-sounding label that makes the person effectively disappear behind it. Bloody idiot; moron; a junkie – these are just quick examples of judgmental labels easily put on individuals we despise. Those labels might be factually true but their role is to hurt, insult or dismiss someone while absolving ourselves from doing anything for them. By labelling people we put ourselves in a position of moral, intellectual or social superiority. Again, it can be factually true. But if we have achieved something of value in our lives, we are called to help others to find their own better selves. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” (Luke 6:37-38)
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