Readings: Sirach 27: 4-7; 1 Cor. 15:54-58; Lk 6:39-45
A Tree is Known by Its Fruit!
Have
you ever followed someone expecting to be directed to a destination, but the
person stopped and said, “Don’t follow me; I am lost?” This would be
embarrassing and unfortunate indeed! Today’s Gospel exhorts us not to follow
people who do not know where they are going. “Can a blind person guide a
blind person? Will not both fall into a pit.” Yet Jesus invites us to
follow him. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and
humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Mt. 11:29).
In another place, he says, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn. 14:6).
We
have often deviated from the path to eternal life by our actions and yet take
it upon ourselves to be a guide, a yardstick, and a standard of moral rectitude
to others. Why don’t we correct the ills in ourselves first? We have sometimes
ignored the plank in our eyes while attempting to remove a splinter in our
neighbor’s eyes. Haven’t we pointed accusing fingers at others while forgetting
that some of those fingers are accusingly pointing directly at us?
Last
Sunday’s readings encouraged us to exercise restraint in our dealings with
others as we saw David with Saul, who was out to kill him (1 Sam. 26:2-23).
Today, we are urged to exercise restraint in the way we use our tongues. Do not
be eager to speak, correct, and condemn others while ignoring the same ills in
yourself. None of us is so perfect and without fault that we should hurry to
correct others. We are not without fault hence we should be patient and not be
hasty in condemning or criticizing others. Check your intentions before
pointing out the faults of others. Is my correction done out of love and to
build up my neighbor, or is it to tear them down and humiliate them in the
process?
Christ
reminds us that a good tree bears good fruit, and a bad tree bears bad fruit;
what is the effect of your words of correction on others? Has it improved their character or caused
anger and humiliation?
As we look forward to the season of Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday, let us be
prepared to take stock of our lives as we enter the desert of prayer, fasting,
and penance with Christ.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, Son of the living God, you who did not open your mouth before Pilate, do not allow me to open my mouth when I do not know what to say and how to say it. Amen.
Rev.
Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP.
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