Human beings have this tendency of focusing on what is negative or bad, and missing out the larger picture of what is good.
It is like noticing a speck of dirt on a white piece of cloth and then saying the cloth is dirty.
It is also like looking at a person and focusing on the imperfections rather than the good qualities.
Even when it comes to ourselves, we rather not know what is wrong with us.
But a sincere and honest self-examination will make us aware of our dark side and may even help us to accept the things that we don't like to hear about ourselves.
In the 1st reading, St. Paul thanked the Lord Jesus for giving him strength, and who judged him faithful enough to call him into His service, even though he used to be a blasphemer and did all he could to injure and discredit the faith.
St. Paul saw how merciful Jesus was, and it was mercy that saved him from the darkness and blindness.
It is also with God's mercy that we will see the plank in our own eyes, and it is also mercy that will open our eyes to see the goodness in others.
Let us continue to implore the Lord for mercy so that we will be able to accept our weakness and failings and to let God's love cleanse us and save us.