When I was a little girl, I was a girl scout brownie.  The Girl Scout Brownie promise is, “On my honor, I will try to serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout law.  The Girl Scout Law is “I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.  There was then an understanding that when we would begin to judge others, to look in the mirror first.  By looking in the mirror, was an opportunity to first examine ourselves and realizing that at the end of the day, we are to first judge ourselves and recognize we are no better than anyone else.  This has stuck with me my whole life.  How easy it is to see the speck in someone’s eye, but yet we can’t see the stone in ours.

In 1 Corinthians 11:23-32, St. Paul is reminding the Corinth Church that before they begin judging each other and blaming each other for things that have happened, they need to remember that they must examine their selves.  In the breaking of the bread, Jesus gives us His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of our sins.  Partaking in the Lord’s Supper is the most Holy and Reverent thing we can do!  But, there is a catch!  “Anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:27).  Coming before Jesus Christ to be forgiven is the act of recognizing your sin and asking for forgiveness.  It is being humble to the point that you realize you are no better than anyone else!

I want to warn you. This is by no means an easy task. Admitting that you are wrong and not allowing yourself to rise above others and their actions, is very difficult.  However, it is required to partake in Jesus’ Body and Blood for His forgiveness.

Let us pray, Gracious God, help us to examine ourselves before coming to you for forgiveness.  Reveal to us our own sin – the speck in our own eyes – and recognize we are not worthy of what you have given us.  Clothe us with your mercy and grace.  Amen.