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8th Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C, By Rev. Fr. Lucas Binnah Junior, C.S.Sp.

Rev Fr Lucas Binnah Junior

Homilies & Reflections

8th Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C, By Rev. Fr. Lucas Binnah Junior, C.S.Sp.

First Reading: Sirach 27:4-7 /Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 92:1-2.12-13.14-15 (R. see 1a) Second Reading: I Corinthians 15:54-58 /Gospel Acclamation: Phil. 2:15-16/ Gospel: Luke 6:39-45

THEME: BE CAREFUL OF SO-CALLED ‘MASTERS’!

Today, we turn our attention to one of the books of the corpus of writings called the Wisdom Literature. The Book of Sirach, also called Ecclesiasticus was written by Jesus ben Sirach (Jesus, son of Sirach) around 190 BC, and it is one of the seven (7) Deutero-canonical books. Thus, in the first reading, the author, asks us to pause and reflect on the so-called masters and those who regard themselves as guides or ‘Papas’ of other peoples. He says: “Do not praise a man before you hear him speak, for this is the test of men” (Sir. 27:7). Again, he says: “The kiln tests the potter’s vessels; so the test of just men is in tribulation. The just fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree; so the expression of a thought discloses the cultivation of a man’s mind (Sir. 27:5-6).

It is in the same vein that the Psalmist also admonishes us to critically reflect on the life of those whom we think are our role models or our celebrities, for through tests, we can really tell who is and who is not, in the true condition of human character. The psalmist says: “The just will flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a Lebanon cedar. Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God” (Ps. 92:12-13). This means that, character is like pregnancy; once it is present, it will show forth. If we are truly just, it will show forth in our actions, choices and plans. Conversely, if we are wicked, no matter how we mask it, it will still reflect in our deeds.

Coming from the aforementioned background, Jesus offers us in today’s Gospel, some wisdom nuggets on which to reflect. We must remember that the Gospel text is a continuation of Luke chapter six (6) which we have been reading since three Sundays ago. In this pericope, we come to the veracity of the fact that we cannot give what we do not have, and again, we reap what we sow. Consequently, Jesus begins his wisdom sayings by asking these questions: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?” (Lk. 6:39). We see on the streets and highways of different countries, the phenomenon of blind beggars. In all cases, they are guided not by other blind people but those who can actually see. Thus, Jesus’ statement calls us to be careful about blind guides and hypocrites in whose lives there is a disconnect between their words and deeds. They are the people who easily see the ‘enemy’ outside of themselves and not within the self, and so, Jesus questions: “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye?” (Lk. 6:41-42). Surely, this indictment calls for a re-think, a change of our own lives too!

Jesus says further: “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit…The good man out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure produces evil” (Lk. 6:43,44a, 45). By this, Jesus speaks of the need for a pure conscience. We must therefore, purify our minds and spirits so as to become the good tree that produces good fruits. We must look at ourselves, our inner motivations and drives, our secrets and plans. All of them must be geared towards authentic and practical living. They must please God, who satisfies us with blessings, grace, peace, joy and life.

Furthermore, Jesus tells us to take cognisance of the fact that a teacher cannot teach more than what they know. Thus, the good teacher is the one who can take students farther on (cf. Lk.6:39-40). Again, we must understand that we have no right to criticise or judge others unless we are free from all faults (cf. Lk. 6:41-42). There is no moral justification to condemn in others what we do in our lives. Judging a person does not define who they are, rather, it defines who we are. It is better to know one’s intention or motivation for doing something than judging and finding faults with others. Let us leave that to the omniscient God, who, ultimately, will judge all of us – living or dead. Therefore, we should be mindful of our deeds, for by them, we are judged (cf. Lk. 6:43-44).

In addition, we must understand that our speech, most of the time, betrays us. The words of our lips are the fruits of the reflections of our hearts. “Out of the abundance of our hearts, the mouth speaks” (Lk. 6:45). What occupies the central place in our minds usually proceed to the lips as our speech. According to William Barclay, fine words will never take the place of fine deeds, and that the only way to prove the superiority of Christianity is to show by our lives that it produces better men and women. In our world today, there are a lot of blind guides who go about deceiving people, and we see them in our communities, institutions, politics, religion, business, health facilities and even in sports. Some of them are on TV, others on radio and the internet. They tell others to do what they themselves cannot practise in their own lives. Jesus warns us about them, and expects us to live in integrity where there is no contradiction between what we say and what we do. So, let us purify our minds to form pure consciences which produce the right words and the right conduct.

Really, is there any motivation for living lives of authenticity and integrity? St. Paul has something for us in that direction! In the second reading, we complete the discourse on the resurrection of the dead began four Sundays ago. Highlighting the reality and necessity of transformation, Paul assures the Corinthian church and us thus: “When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (I Cor. 15:54). By this, Paul shows that at the resurrection, the human body will be changed into a glorified, transformed and incorruptible body. Death will be defeated, and the human person shall live forever with God. A life that is not judgmental and free from hypocrisy shall dwell with God.

Naturally, we know that humankind looks at death with uneasy apprehension. Be that as it may, we must not be afraid of this change occasioned by death. Rather what we are to fight against is sin and its effects. God is love, and in love, there is no fear. Therefore, fear must be banished in the wonder of God’s love. For this reason, even though death is real, St. Paul is convinced that in Christ, there is victory over death, and hence, the need to be steadfast in the Lord. He exhorts thus: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain” (I Cor. 15:58). If all our lives, and struggles were to end in nothingness, then that is double tragedy! However, that is not what God wants for us. He wants us to be with him forever and always. Let us pray for the spirit of integrity in order to live authentic lives. May God bless his words in our hearts through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy Sunday! Remember to #Be-Careful-Of-So-Called-Masters#

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