How can we attempt at seeing what's in front of us with a blindfold on? It's impossible right? Yet so much of the time, we tell our neighbour to do just that. We send them out and expect them to do everything to our view of what perfection is. It's all a matter of perception. Did you know that what you see as being red, someone else could perceive as orange? Or the fact the a chair is a foot in front of you, it may look completely different from another angle to someone else three feet away. How then do we perceive ourselves and those around us when it comes to faith and living out the life God has for us?

   Today's Gospel states:'"Judge not, that you be not Judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. 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? Or how can you say to your brother, `Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye' (Matthew 7:1-5). 

   If you have your eyes covered, how can you tell your neighbour to uncover their eye? You'd be a hypocrite. Why do we place judgement when we have so many reasons to be judged? I know for myself, it can be easy to make clumsy mistakes, or overspeed when trying to be friendly in conversation. I'm sure we've all had these experiences. What do we do then to fix ourselves, so to help our neighbour, not to judge, but to show love and friendliness. I always loved the saying "when you point a finger at someone, there's three more pointing back at you". Whenever you place judgement, you are judged even harsher, both by them, through their perception of you, as well as God. Let's pray today that God help us to be loving and openminded people of faith.

   Today's prayer comes from 'Beliefnet', a prayer to stop judging:

Father,

I lay down my self-imposed responsibility of judging the heart, motives, intentions, and actions of the people in my life. You have instructed me in this, and I will obey you. I remove the back-breaking burden of being the judge, and I repent of the pride in my life that is evident every time I have a critical, judgemental thought. You have commanded me to walk in forgiveness and love, to rise above offenses, and to walk humbly with you. I choose that road today. I submit my thoughts to you – each and every one – for approval, choosing loving thoughts and not condemning thoughts, compassionate thoughts not critical thoughts. And kindly remove the log in my eye. Thank you.

In Jesus’ Name and with the help of the Holy Spirit, Amen.