March 3, 2019: Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading: Luke 6:39-45

Jesus told his disciples a parable, “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.

“A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. 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.”

Reflection:

We have been created in God’s image. What God creates is good and God delights in our goodness. We should delight in it as well. But we are not perfect. We must look within ourselves to see our failings and our weaknesses and not judge the failings and weaknesses of others. We must also cultivate what is good in us. As true followers of Jesus, our goodness should flow from within us, from our hearts, and be shown in our words and actions. “For every tree is known by its own fruit.”

Action:

As you move into Lent this week, spend time with Scripture each day. Read the daily selections or begin reading the Gospel of Luke. Read slowly and prayerfully, thinking about what you are reading, especially words attributed to Jesus. Let the words and actions of Jesus fill your heart.