I asked a man who came to MGM in need of clothes, "Where did you sleep last night?"

He said, "In the hospital."

I asked, "If you don't mind telling me, why were you in the hospital?"

He said, "I was having suicidal thoughts. I tried to commit suicide several months ago and almost died. I wanted to check myself in before it got to that point again."

Some of those who come to MGM for help, like this man, openly share their struggles. For example, I have heard the following from others: "I got out of jail last night and need help." "I have mental issues, is there someone  who can help me." "My family will not talk to me."

In the Gospel this weekend, Jesus told his disciples to be aware of their own shortcomings before judging others. He said this in a very visual way, "Look at the log in your own eye before trying to remove a splinter from someone else's."

I have found many of those who come to MGM for help have taken a good look at the "log" in their eye. Their willingness to describe their log is humbling to hear and it keeps them humble.

At the beginning of Mass, the priest typically invites us to "pause and call to mind our sins." It makes sense that this invitation comes at the beginning of Mass. If we are to be in communion with each other, it helps if we don't judge.