Gospel Reflection Mar 2 – Father Lynch
Sunday, March 2
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Luke 6:39-45
Gospel:
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.”
Gospel Reflection:
In the Gospel today (Luke 6:31-45) Jesus speaks to us as He often does in a parable. This is the most effective way to reach his audiences. The parable today is straight forward, yet full of not-too-common sense. Can a blind man lead a blind man? Of course not, yet that is what we all do if we are NOT being led by and following Jesus. Our Lord illumines the paths that our sin, darkness, fear, and doubt often cast shade over.
We need to stay close to Jesus and follow Him for He sees the world as it really is, and not as we see it, in a clout of sin. No student is greater than the teacher, but after having been taught, can now teach, remembering that even a teacher is a student for life.
For us, this is precisely the mission Jesus asks us to carry on, the 3-legged stool, teaching others what we have been taught about Scripture, The Magisterium, and the Traditions of the Church (established by Christ) and passed on through the generations. If only one or two legs of the stool are taught, the stool is not balanced and falls over, but when all 3 are taught and taught well, we remain sturdy and steadfast in our faith.
Jesus’ message resonates with all people of all ages, young to old. As we end Ordinary time, we turn the page and move forward as pilgrims and students of Life, and of the Lord, sharing what He teaches us in both word and action. May we prepare for a fruitful and grace-filled Lenten season, living and believing in what our responsorial Psalm proclaims, “ Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.” St. Brigid of Kildare, pray for us!
Father Lynch