Week 1 - Monday

Bible Passage

Matthew 7:3,4

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?

Commentary

St. Moses the Strong on Judging the Brethren

In the monastery, a brother once erred and a council was held. They sent for Abba Moses but he was unwilling to come. So the priest sent to him, saying: "Come, for the company is waiting for you." He got up and came; he took a basket with many holes, filled it with sand and carried it [with him]. Coming out to meet him, they said to him: "What is this, father?" and the elder said to them: "My sins are running out behind me and I do not see them– yet here I have come today to pass judgment on the faults of another!" They said nothing to the brother who sinned when they heard this, but forgave him.