In today's gospel reading from Matthew 7:1-5, Jesus asks his disciples "Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?"  How often do we notice the faults in others but fail to see them in ourselves?  Chances are God is trying to teach us something about ourselves through someone else's irritating behavior. 

In her book Fearless:  A Catholic Woman's Guide to Spiritual Warfare, Sonja Corbitt points out that God is not in the habit of pointing out other people's sins to us.  "If God is talking to you, he's talking about you." She continues by asking the question "How many times have you been sitting in Mass, hear the readings, and think to yourself "I couldn't agree more! I knew I was right; so and so needs to hear this!""  Remember, God doesn't gossip, so if you think He is talking to you, he is talking about you - not about somebody else.  

For most of us, we'd rather focus on other people's bad behavior because it's easier and tends to make us feel superior.  But that's not what God intended.  All of us equally took part in the crucifixion of the One who came to show us the way.  We are equally guilty, equally worthy of forgiveness, and equally, have free will.  The real question is how will we use it?  And what or whom do we choose?  Christ or misplaced self-righteousness?

St. Jerome said that "Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ."  Let's not be ignorant of the question Jesus asked his disciples in Matthew 7 and is ultimately asking us: "Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?" 

Next time you feel the effects of someone else's irritating behavior and you're tempted to point it out, pause for a moment and ask God if he is trying to teach you something about yourself.  Then, remove the "beam" from your own eye so you may see more clearly to lay down pride and self-righteousness, and choose the abundant life Christ is calling you to.