Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye’, when you yourself do not see 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 neighbor’s eye.”
NL Daily Devotion for Thursday, February 6, 2025
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
I hate having something in my eye. In fact, I can’t imagine not knowing I have a speck in my eye, much less a log. Yes, I know it’s not literal, that’s just what popped into my head. But I will say that when there is something in my eye (usually an errant eyelash) I am absolutely incapable of seeing anything else or doing anything else until I get that stupid thing out!
Maybe this is what it’s like for me living in recovery. Every single day, I do what’s called a 10th-Step Inventory (or an 11th -Step Inventory depending on how you read the Big Book). In it, I ask God to help me see where I have been resentful, selfish, dishonest, or afraid during the previous 24-hour period. If I have caused anyone harm, I make amends immediately or as soon as is reasonably possible. There’s more to the process, but just this much basically means that every single day I am peering closely into a magnifying mirror to see if there are any specks in my eye. And if there are, I pull them out. This does a couple of things. First, it keeps anything from getting “infected” and turning into a serious resentment. Second, it puts me in a position to respond to uncomfortable incidents from a place of objectivity and love rather than anger and a need to get even. Third, it reminds me that it’s ultimately not my job to take the speck out of anyone else’s eye in the first place. It’s theirs. And lastly, it conditions me to be aware of anytime a speck gets into my eye during the course of the day. If I allow myself to get resentful or I engage in any action that carries even a whiff of dishonesty, I am instantly uncomfortable, as if I have an eyelash in my eye. Ouch! (In those moments, we do what’s called a “Spot-check inventory” which is exactly how it sounds and generally involves a phone call to another fellow).
Do I do this perfectly? Of course not. There are times the speck in my eye is so big you could see it from across a room and I have no idea it’s there and can’t figure out why I’m so irritable. There are times I still think I’m qualified to point out another person’s speck. But I am grateful for daily spiritual practices that help keep me out of judgment and into love and compassion for others.
How do I make sure my eyes stay clear of logs on a regular basis?
