Dear friends in Christ, today is the 8 th Sunday in ordinary time year c. It is the first weekend and the beginning of the new month. Also, it is the last weekend before the Lenten season, which commences on the Ash Wednesday.
In the gospel of last Sunday, Jesus gave us a golden rule to treat others as we would want to be treated. This Sunday, he has given us some moral instructions that will guide us on our spiritual journey.
In the first reading, we are being reminded that a person’s true character is made manifest at the moments of trial. It says, ‘when the sieve is shaken, the wheat is separated from the chaff. The fire of a kiln brings out any weakness that may be in the clay’. It goes further to say that people’s faults appear when they speak without considering the content of their words. The scripture says, whoever loves life and desires to see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lip from speaking deceit (cf. 1Pet. 3:10). How do we react to issues especially, when we are pissed off and pushed to the limit?
Ben Sirach’s moral instruction serves as an excellent preview for today’s Gospel narrative. It reminds us, that we should think before we speak because what comes out of our mouth reveals our heart, it speaks more volume about who we truly are.
In our gospel reading, Jesus uses a parable of the blind person to communicate his fundamental moral teaching that his disciples and the future followers must live an exemplary life. Jesus pointed out that a blind person cannot guide the blind person because both of them will fall into a ditch. Here, Jesus is metaphorically speaking about a teacher and disciples’ relationship. Christ is our great teacher and every disciple should be like his teacher.
One may wonder if Jesus is a psychologist because of the intonation of his words like, "first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye." Jesus is far more than a psychologist; he was not just a human person. He is also a divine person; the creator of the universe; the beginning and the end. He sees us from within, even the most hidden part of our souls. He knows us in and out. He knows our faults, our weakness and wants us to lead by good example. He wants us to show the world the best version of our lives.
Again, Jesus tells us that the quality of our heart determines the quality of our words and actions. A clean heart utters virtuous words. He says: “A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.” As followers of Christ, we are challenged to live our lives in accordance with the gospel message. Our words and actions should reflect the faith that we profess.
In the gospel of last Sunday, we recalled that Jesus commanded us not to judge, but to love and pray for our enemies. Today, he challenged us to bear good fruits, this includes how we look at others and how we judge them. Given the fact that we shall be judged for what we have done, what kind of judgment do we want? Certainly, we want a judgment done with mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. And that’s how Jesus wants us to treat others: He wants us to be merciful, compassionate, and forgiving, caring, and loving, which are the fruits of the Holy Spirit. We need to humble ourselves and look inwardly before criticizing others. An honest recognition of our own weaknesses will dispose us to be more considerate in judging others. Let us give others the benefit of the doubt.