Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? Jesus’ series of teachings which followed the Beatitudes continued to expound on the transformative values of the kingdom introduced by him in the Beatitudes. Just like in the Beatitudes wherein Jesus was addressing the real economic and social conditions of the society of which he was part, the set of teachings that followed were also occasioned by real life experiences. Jesus was not teaching about hypothetical scenarios. The content of his teaching were anchored in the observations which he had made. He had witnessed the harassment and mistreatment which was being accorded individuals and groups who were perceived as enemies; he had seen how mere creatures had assumed the position of God by embracing judgmental attitudes and demeanors; he had seen those who regarded themselves as righteous and keepers of the law engage in actions and behaviors that were not commensurate with whom they were claiming to be (last Sunday’s reading). 
In his teachings, we see Jesus reminding his disciples of the new standard that is expected of them as those who have opened their hearts to the message of the kingdom which he was preaching. In case they were yet to get it, the values of the kingdom inaugurated by Jesus are so different from the values of the world. As a matter of fact, it does appear that the values of the kingdom are paradoxes, that is, they are the values of the world turned upside down. What was seemingly making sense in the appeared not to be so in the kingdom: perceived enemies are to be accorded the same treatment extended to friends; there should be no passing of condemnatory judgment on a fellow brother/sister even if they appear to be on the wrong; forgiveness needs to be extended unconditionally; espousing positions that make a person assume the lowest place are to be considered virtuous acts; greatness can now be attained by being subservient to one’s fellows. In other words, those attitudes/behaviors which are ordinarily treated with contempt and disdain even as they get to be associated with the lowly become prized values in the kingdom. And in the same measure, those attitudes and behaviors which are highly coveted in the world are subsequently reduced to vices (revenge, unforgiving hearts, judgmental attitudes). However, this does not mean that there is a deliberate attempt to turn things upside down. 
The passage that constitutes this Sunday’s Gospel reading is sub-titled, “Integrity” (New Jerusalem Bible). In a way, it sums up the teachings of Jesus that issued from the Beatitudes. The passage points to the reason why those who have embraced the message of Jesus must act in a certain way. The disciples of Jesus must maintain the integrity of the kingdom. The kingdom preached by Jesus sets itself apart by prioritizing love, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, patience, and forbearance. It is through these values that those who belong to the kingdom will turn the hearts of men and women back to God. But in order for this to happen, those who already belong to the kingdom (Jesus’ disciples) must be ready to walk the talk. They must be ready to assume leadership positions in the transformation of the universe.
By calling on his disciples to stop judging, Jesus was not urging them to look the other way whenever a wrong is being perpetrated. By calling upon them to forgive their wrongdoers, Jesus was not asking his disciples to tolerate wrongdoing and lawlessness in the society. Rather, he was simply reminding them that none of us is qualified enough to judge the other because all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (cf. Romans 3:23). Judgment is reserved for he/she who is not subject to judgment (one who is without sin). But since before God only Jesus Christ is without sin (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21; I Peter 2:22; Hebrews 4:15; I John 3:5), none of us should refuse to forgive the wrongdoing of his/her brother/sister. Failure to recognize this fact is the blindness to which Jesus was referring. 
The disciples of Jesus have been called and given an important role to play in the inauguration of the kingdom of God. As partners with Jesus in ministry, they have taken upon themselves the responsibility of being both the light and salt of the earth (cf. Matthew 5:14). Theirs is a responsibility of showing the others the path that leads to the kingdom. But before they can preach the kingdom to the others, they themselves must demonstrate by their lives that they believe in the message of the kingdom. Before a disciple of Jesus can preach about forgiveness and compassion, he/she must be ready both to forgive and to be forgiven. In other words, he/she must recognize that we are all sons and daughters of a merciful God who in turn calls us to be merciful.