Eighth Sunday of the Year: C: February 27, 2022

 GOODNESS IS SEEN IN ACTIONS

First Reading: Sirach 27: 4-7

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 54-58

Gospel Reading: Luke 6: 39-45

   * First reading is from the book of Sirach. Three picturesque comparisons are made. 1. A person's faults appear when he/she speaks. 2. A person's quality is seen in his/her conversation. 3. A person's speech discloses the cultivation of his/her mind. These comparisons explain to us that a person's speech reveals what kind of a person he or she is. 

   * Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul explains to the Christian community at Corinth and to us that the power of death is once and for all destroyed by Christ: by His victory over sin and death. If we persevere in doing the Lord's work we need not fear death. When we die (the perishable body) then we will share in the immortality (the imperishable body) of Christ. 

A tree is known from its fruit                                                                Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. Jesus instructs us through a series of short parables/sayings. Jesus tells us how we often look at the mistakes and shortcomings of others. He invites us to have thorough introspection of ourselves in this regard. 1 A blind man cannot lead a blind man. If it happens that a blind man leads another blind man the consequences can be disastrous. 2. A disciple is not above his/her teacher. 3. Do not look for the speck in your brother's eye when you have a log in your eye. Finding fault with another person when we are also at fault is hyprocrisy. 4. No good tree produces bad fruit. And no bad tree produces good fruit. A tree is known from the fruit it produces. So also the case with a person. 5. Finally Jesus says that a good man produces good out of his good heart. Similarly an evil man produces evil out of his heart. Thus Jesus tells us that any goodness has to come from a person's heart.  the above sayings of Jesus explain to us the fact that good and evil are the product of a person's heart. 

"Never criticize your neighbour until you have walked for a mile with him." - An ancient proverb