8th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Community Word:God’s unconditional love brings salvation in Christ Jesus.
Theme:We respond to God’s unconditional love when our hearts are filled with righteousness.
Promise: “They shall bear fruit even in old age; vigorous and sturdy shall they be.” (Ps 92:15)
Reflection:
Our love for God can be shown by the fruit of righteousness that the Holy Spirit fills our hearts in baptism. We have been justified by Christ’s death and resurrection, bringing us out of darkness into the light of righteousness. Our actions should speak goodness, not evil, for if there is goodness in our hearts, good is produced, but if there is evil in our hearts, evil is produced (cf. Lk 6:45a).
How we relate to others by our word, action or thought is essential in showing the love, care and understanding that we extend to others. Sometimes, we are so self-engrossed that we are not careful with how we look at others. We see our self-sufficiency and only notice the defects of others, but not the imperfection in ourselves. We are quick to see what is wrong with others, but disregard or fail to notice what is wrong with us. And when people point to us our own faults, we feel insulted and nurture resentment, though, sometimes, there is a moment that we swallow our pride and accept to be corrected. We then realize that we have become better at criticizing others, but we are blinded to see our own shortcomings.
The Gospel illustrates how hypocrisy presents itself, in being blind from seeing only the flaws in others, but not seeing the good or potential in them; in being blinded to see that we too have our own shortcomings. In Jesus’ term, this person is a hypocrite: “You notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own,” (Lk 6:41). Some examples are closer to us. We readily criticize that lack of cleanliness in our neighbor’s surrounding, but fail to see the garbage piling in our own house. Sometimes, we preach moral teachings to others, but forget that our own family need pastoring. We are quick to judge our leaders for burdensome directives, but we also fail to follow discipline and refuse to cooperate. We love to criticize, but we ignore doing our small part to improve the system, much less complain about it. There is a saying that if you have nothing good to say to a person, then it is better to stay silent.
As Christ’s followers, we are called to be light to others, to point the truth to them. As Christians, our speech and action must be edifying to others, not to bring them down. Our own testimony must be true and not a pretention “for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks,” (Lk 6:45b). Then others will see the righteousness of Christ in us. Let not our mouths that we used in praising God be used in cursing or judging others. Let not our hands that we use for honoring God be used in hurting others.
Jesus has clothed us with His righteousness. Let us continue to examine ourselves, allowing others to give us feedback, in recognizing our defects, and in learning to be mindful of them. Light comes when we present ourselves as we truly are, when we come out of darkness of our pretentions. When we walk in righteousness and do works of righteousness, we can claim the fruitful promise of the Lord: “They shall bear fruit even in old age; vigorous and sturdy shall they be,” (Ps 92:15).
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for the times that I judged others of their faults which I myself was guilty of. Forgive me for simply criticizing them, but failed to give them counsel through fraternal correction. I ask for your grace to be more tolerant and understanding, to judge people from where they stand and not from where I stand, that I may be worthy of your mercy. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do I correct myself if I have the tendency to be judgmental and critical to others? What are the things I need to do to be more tolerant, accepting, understanding and forbearing of others?
2. Share an experience when you have to swallow your pride and accept the correction by others of your faults or self-righteous tendencies. How did this make you feel?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
March 3, 2019 (Sun) – Sir 27:4-7, Ps 92, 1 Cor 15:54-58, Lk 6:39-45
March 4, 2019 (Mon) – Sir 17:20-24, Ps 32, Mk 10:17-27
March 5, 2019 (Tues) – Sir 35: 1-12, Ps 50, Mk 10:28-31
March 6, 2019 (Wed) – Jl 2:12-18, Ps 51, 2 Cor 5:20-6:2, Mt. 6:1-6, 16-18
March 7, 2019 (Thur) – Dt 30:15-20, Ps 1, Lk 9:22-25
March 8, 2019 (Fri) – Is 58:1-9a, Ps 51, Mt 9:14-15
March 9, 2019 (Sat) – Is 58: 9b-14, Ps 86, Lk 5:27-32
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
