March 2, 2025: Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel: 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 rye,’ 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

Today’s challenging Gospel calls us to pay attention to our own perspective and heart before judging or trying to “help” someone else. If we do not tend to our own injuries and wounds, we cannot tend to others. If we do not cultivate a loving, compassionate heart, our actions might be causing more harm than good.

In my experience, when I acknowledge and work to “remove the wooden beam from (my) eye,” I come closer to my human experience. I touch the pain. I become aware that my perspectives are unclear and incomplete. If I approach myself with criticism and shame, my heart is hardened and I only worsen the condition.

Ideally, I learn to treat myself with care and compassion. Through this process, I grow in empathy and compassion with others. I no longer move toward the splinter in my sibling’s eye with shame and judgment but with love and tenderness. I desire to relieve their suffering, not correct what I think is wrong. If we follow this way, we might become the tree that nourishes others with life-giving fruit.

Action

Pay attention to the quality of your heart this week. Nurture its goodness.