2 Kings 12:5-6, 13-15, 18 / Matthew 7:1-5
Whenever we talk about time, we usually refer to it as chronological time.
That is to say, we usually think of time as dates and duration.
And then we also talk of time that has a purpose.
For example, it takes time to heal, it takes time to forget, and maybe it even takes time to awaken.
In the first reading, the Assyrians invaded Samaria and laid siege to it for three years.
Three years is a long time to be cooped up and surrounded by enemies.
Yet, during those three years, God sent prophets to give the people warning after warning and to repent.
Yet after three years, the people did not listen, they did not repent, and in the end disaster and tragedy fell on the people.
Out of the 12 tribes of Israel, only one tribe remained, and that is the tribe of Judah.
It may seem incomprehensible that even after three years of sufferings and warnings, the people still did not awaken and repent.
But let us not come to judgement so quickly.
Let us not talk about the plank in their eyes and forget that we too have a plank in our eyes.
Let us open our eyes and be awakened to our sins and repent.
Otherwise we can only blame ourselves when tragedy and disaster fall upon us.