Why We Judge Others But Can't See Our Own Flaws | Catholic Daily Readings | June 23, 2025

Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time - Daily Catholic Readings

Why is it so easy to see everyone else's problems but impossible to recognize our own? Jesus calls this the plank-in-the-eye problem, and it's one of our most devastating blind spots. We become amateur therapists diagnosing everyone else while refusing to admit we might need help ourselves.

This reflection explores why judgment feels safer than self-examination, how criticism creates the illusion of moral superiority without requiring actual improvement, and what Abraham's journey teaches us about leaving familiar territory to grow spiritually.

When God told Abraham to leave his country and people, He wasn't just asking for geographical move but psychological transformation. Abraham had to stop looking backward at what was familiar and start looking inward at what needed to change. The same invitation stands before us: leave the comfortable territory of judging others and journey toward uncertain terrain of personal growth.

Jesus explains that the measure we use will be measured to us - not cosmic revenge but natural consequence. When we train our minds to notice flaws, we become flaw-detection machines that eventually turn on ourselves. Professional critics develop cynicism, chronic complainers create negativity that repels relationships, and constant judges live expecting to be judged.

The goal isn't blindness but better vision, not silence but wiser speech. When we approach others with humility rather than superiority, curiosity rather than judgment, love rather than criticism, we discover that irritating people become opportunities for grace and their flaws become mirrors for our growth.

📖 Readings
Genesis 12:1-9
Psalm 33:12-13,18-19,20,22
Matthew 7:1-5

⏱️ Timeline
00:00 Introduction
00:15 Reading I - Genesis 12:1-9
01:35 Psalm Response - Psalm 33:12-13,18-19,20,22
03:46 Gospel - Matthew 7:1-5
04:25 Reflection

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