PROMPTS & PRACTICES | KNOW AND OWN YOUR SET OF GLASSES

As cultural and subjective beings, we operate life with our own unique filtering system that turns reality into a reality. No one sees reality as the reality. We all have our own grid for interpretation of life and make decisions based on the interpretations. Jesus does not sugar coat this tendency and gives some stern warnings in Matthew 7:1-12. In His typical exaggerated fashion, Jesus talks of “the speck” of our neighbor’s eye and “the log” in our eye.

Then there is the strange insertion of Jesus, seemingly completely unrelated, “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” (Matthew 7:6) What is at stake here is not how unworthy dogs and pigs are, but that of helpfulness. Even our best intentions of giving dogs what we consider to be holy and throwing our precious helps (jewels) before pigs are ways of judging what we think others may need from us.

Instead, we are told to “ask, seek, and knock” in the following verses (7-11). Instead of judging and making our own conclusion of things, simply ask, seek, and knock. The act of asking, seeking, and knocking is an act of non-judgement. We are opening ourselves up to listen and listen deeply.

Practices

Pray daily the breath prayer, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Be aware of your blind spots, assumptions, prejudices, and preferences, particularly how they tend to take charge of your everyday life and decisions.
Think twice before you say what you want to say and consider whether you have thought about how your words may impact others. “Do or say unto others what you would have them do or say to you” is what is at stake here. Once words come out of our mouth, it is already spilt milk.
Learn to ask open questions. Be genuine when asking and listen lovingly and deeply.