Reverend Marco Ste-Marie

Repentance is looking in the mirror, not out the window.

Here’s the hard truth: Many of us are blind to our own faults. We’re experts at pointing out what’s wrong with others. We have sharp eyes for their mistakes, quick words for their flaws. But when it comes to ourselves, we look away. “It’s not my fault.” “They made me do it.” “They need to change.” That’s how we avoid growth.

Jesus told a sharp story in Luke 18: the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee bragged, compared himself, blamed others. The tax collector bowed his head and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Jesus said the tax collector—not the self-righteous man—went home right with God.

For the original hearers, this was shocking. The religious elite, the “good people,” thought they were right with God. But Jesus flipped the script. He made it clear: God wants honesty, not pretense. Humility, not pride.

Why does this matter today? Because self-righteousness is alive and well. We live in a world of blame and finger-pointing. Social media is filled with outrage, judgment, and blame. Rarely do people pause and say, “I need to change.”

If you only focus on the faults of others, you will never grow. If you blame others for your problems, you give away your power to change. Self-deception is deadly. It blocks grace. It stops healing.

The way forward is self-awareness. Honest confession. Repentance begins with seeing yourself clearly. It takes courage to admit, “I was wrong.” But that’s where healing starts. The mirror is not your enemy. It is your invitation to freedom.

What if our community became known not for blame, but for honesty? Not for judgment, but for grace? Imagine the impact if each of us took responsibility for our own lives.

“But others really do wrong me.”
Yes, people can hurt us. But you are responsible for your reactions, your choices, your growth.

Repentance means change, and change is scary. It threatens our comfort, our habits, sometimes even our relationships. Some fear what others will think if they admit fault. Others worry about what repentance might cost—pride, reputation, or even their standing in a group. So, they decide it’s easier not to change.

If you stay blind to your faults, you stay stuck in old patterns. But if you open your eyes, God brings change. He brings light. He brings freedom.

Stop pointing fingers—start cleaning your own heart.

Where are you blaming others instead of taking responsibility?
What would happen if you got brutally honest with God?
How might your life change if you focused on your own growth first?

Take off the blindfold. Face yourself, and let God start the work.