Distinguishing between gnats and camels

Mt 23:24

Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!

Lev 19:17

You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. Though you may have to reprove your fellow man, do not incur sin because of him.

It is bad enough when we see other people commit sin; it is far worse if we let their sins cause us to fall into sin ourselves.

Jesus has given us definite instructions on how to treat our enemies. While criticizing others for their shortcomings ("straining the gnat"), we ourselves may fall into a far worse sin ("swallowing the camel").

In matters of freedom, where there is no law, or in small matters that do not oblige under pain of sin, we should apply our high ideals to ourselves, not others--we should be hard on ourselves but go easy on others.

Small matters

• Genuflecting before entering the pew.
• Kneeling and praying silently before Mass.
• Making a sign of reverence before receiving Communion.
• Receiving Communion on the hand instead of on the tongue.
• Celebrating Mass in English rather than Latin.
• Wearing good clothes for Sunday Mass.
• Women covering their heads in Church.