Celebrating the Holy Name of Mary

If I were asked what I think is the most common failing that we all have, I would say it is what Jesus talks about in today's gospel. He says, ''Why do you observe the splinter in your brother's eye and never notice the plank in your own?'' ( Luke 6:39-42). Unfortunately we so often judge others, think unkindly of them and even speak about what we perceive as their faults to others. Why do we do this? Is it because we are envious of others because we think that they have more ability, a better job or more belongings than us and so we want to build ourselves up by dragging them down? Does that mean we have a low opinion of ourselves? But we have been created and given life by a loving God. He says to us as he said to Jesus at his baptism, ''You are my beloved sons and daughters. If we really believe that God loves us and that Jesus died for us why do we doubt our own value? Jesus was born into our life and knows our weaknesses but he is ready to forgive us. He knows the weaknesses of the people we are criticizing and forgives them too. So he tells us to take the plank from our own eye and then we will see more clearly the goodness of others and we will be able to forgive the annoyance that they sometimes cause us. Today we also celebrate the Holy Name of Mary. Mary, you said that the Holy One has done great things in you. You were a kind and gentle mother and neighbour who always saw the good in others. Help us to be open to see the great things that God has done is us so that seeing the good in ourselves we will be able to see the good in others and avoid judging and criticizing those whom our Father has placed around us as our sisters and brothers.