Much of our growth in self-knowledge, and understanding the full extent of our estrangement from God, comes from our daily interactions with one another in the give-and-take of community life. And whereas the self-knowledge hereby acquired certainly includes positive and noble aspects of our identity, it more frequently reveals what is negative, sinful, unflattering, and humbling. Little wonder, then, that we can find ourselves resisting this painful process by discrediting the ones through whom we might otherwise gain deeper insights into ourselves and be better equipped to find healing grace. In this we are like the crowds in today’s gospel—who discredited both Jesus and John the Baptist, the former as a glutton and drunkard, the latter as one possessed. So, instead of blaming those who bring out the worst in us, let us welcome them as valued teachers uncovering those dark corners of our hearts still awaiting the liberating light of saving grace. Only in this way will we become true witnesses to the Christ who calls us to the fullness of life, even as he did with Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gon and his holy companions.