Pearly White Gates
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I recently went to the dentist, and let me tell you, I had an amazing time.
Not really.
I mean, it wasn’t a horrible time, but it definitely wasn’t something that I’d describe as amazing. But after the appointment was done, man did my teeth feel clean.
Now, I’m no saint when it comes to dental hygiene – I brush almost twice a day (yes, I am somewhat embarrassed that I don’t brush my teeth twice every single day, but this is all about being real, right?), and rarely floss (except for that first week two days after I get them cleaned). But, other than a little bit of tartar and some sensitive gums (lack of flossing will do that, ya know), my teeth are in really good condition. My wife, however, has similar dental habits to me, and yet she has to get fillings. Her teeth just aren’t as strong as mine.
I remember the first time we both went to the same dentist, and I came out bragging about how the dentist said I have gorgeous, beautiful teeth. I assumed she received a similar response. She didn’t. The dentist said basically her teeth are alright. There was a part of me, after hearing that, that was a little proud, because my teeth were better.
My teeth were better? Apparently my ego doesn’t need much for a boost of confidence.
I also felt bad for bragging about my teeth, and I knew it wasn’t because I was doing anything to earn those compliments – it was just my genes that burdened me with gorgeous, beautiful teeth. My wife and I basically have the same dental habit, yet her teeth are more prone to having issues.
Why do we go to the dentist? Aren’t we capable of keeping our own teeth clean? Apparently not, because there are people who are extremely diligent in brushing and flossing, and yet the dentist will still find some scraps of tartar or other germs in there.
So the ADA (I’m talking about the American Dental Association, not the Annual Diocesan Appeal), has determined that we need to go to the dentist for a cleaning every six months. I know there have been times where I’ve gone longer than prescribed, because 1) I didn’t want to pay and 2) who are they to tell me I need to go so often?
But then I realized I am in no position to know better than the ADA. They know way more about teeth and everything on and around them than I do. So, I get my teeth cleaned. And they often find things on my teeth and gums that I had no idea were there – I can’t even see them (and I don’t take the time to look as closely as they do).
Although it’s not always a pleasant experience, I’m grateful for it. And I always feel compelled after to be more diligent about cleaning my teeth.
The end.
Just kidding (I’m hilarious). Do you think I’d really just write about my teeth? No way Joseph.
Now, I’m no saint when it comes to, well, being a saint. And just like with my teeth, I could rely on just asking God for forgiveness directly and try to stop sinning, but going to a priest to hear my confession makes a world of difference. By allowing myself to be open about my sins to another person, I show sincere repentance. In the same way that I can think my teeth aren’t that bad, I can make excuses for my sins. God doesn’t speak to us so obviously as we’d like, so having a priest say the words, with arms stretched over us in absolution, can feel so good. Also, the priest (more often than not), can tell us something about our sins that we might not have noticed. They can give us guidance that we wouldn’t have figured out on our own. And although I’m not always excited to go to Reconciliation, it is something I am truly grateful to God for, and I give extra effort to avoiding sin after it’s done.
And just like with the differences between my teeth and my wife’s teeth, there are differences between my sins and someone else’s. Because of how someone was raised, they might be more inclined to sin than I am. Or, the sins they are tempted with are going to be different than what I am tempted with. Does that make me better than them? Of course not. Jesus said it best (as He so often does…He should write a book or something) –
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? – Matthew 7:1-3
So I need to work on not allowing my ego to get the best of me. That when I see someone else sin, I don’t stand in judgment of them, but rather have compassion for them.
