November 15, The Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Have you ever had similar thoughts and reactions to an experience I recently had? During a routine doctor’s appointment. I sat in the waiting room until I was called. When called, I arose and followed the nurse or medical assistant to the examination room. After sitting down she went through a litany of questions which included inquiries like, do you have problems walking, do you need additional help with standing, are you dizzy, are you mobile in your home, can you stand up from a chair without assistance etc.? I affirmed my mobility and stated I do not suffer from dizziness, but my internal reaction was did you not see me get up and walk upright with you into this room and did so without assistance and without incident? Why do you ask me these questions? At the same time, I realize that this is necessary protocol and protects the physician from any liability matters in the future.
After going through this “grilling” I reflected that this questioning regarding my basic functioning and mobility was in reality appropriate. This review causes me to rethink and re-evaluate my status. The questions may stir up a personal concern I have overlooked and considered. Maybe I do have a problem with “X”.
I am aware that I am taking the following Scripture story out of context, but the above reminds me of Jesus’s story in Matthew’s Gospel about judging others. In Chapter 7 Jesus commands “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 (v.5). Instead of me questioning the competence of that medical person, keep focusing on myself and be honest with myself regarding my own physical status.
One of the virtues we can have is to admit that we may be wrong or have some sort of problem and be willing to confess it. It is very easy for us to deny our faults and avoid making ourselves look bad and “loosing face.” As Father Mike as noted in his homilies on many occasions, we need the community to call us forward at times because we cannot do it alone—we need to hear that honest critique from someone who cares for us. And remember most of all, God may be sending those individuals to us. And never forget, God calls us forth in our personal prayer lives.
Let us take courage with renewed honesty as we work to renew ourselves to be disciples of Jesus. As we hear from the Prophet Malachi (3:2-3), allow “refiner’s fire” to shape and mold us to be that new creation in Christ.