Bible Study for 2/27/22
8th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: Sirach 27:4–7
Psalm: Psalm 92:2–3, 13–14, 15–16 (cf. 2a)
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:54–58
Gospel Acclamation: Philippians 2:15d,16a
Gospel: Luke 6:39–45
Introduction
Many of us like to live on the surface, just skimming along. We often don’t like to take a deep look inside to see where we are really at with the Lord. We often prefer to cast a critical eye at others and criticize them for falling short of the mark according to our limited viewpoint. And one of the things that limits our field of view is our own unexamined life. In short, we can have beams of sin in our lives that we are blind to that are actually much greater than what we are criticizing others for, and they obscure our vision and can taint what we do, even for the Lord.
The readings for this Sunday give us tips on how to detect our beams and how to deal with them so that we can maximize our fruitfulness and work with and for the Lord.
First Reading
The first tip is from the Book of Sirach. We need to watch our mouths and hear what we say and how we say it, especially during times of tribulation and stress. Our mouths are like a sieve which, when our lives and our world are shaken, brings what needs to be dealt with and discarded to the surface — the husks. We want to keep the good grain but discard the husks. Our mouths are perhaps the hardest and most revealing parts of our bodies to control. The Bible has a lot to say about the power of our mouths or tongues for good or evil. Our Gospel reading also addresses our tongues as the speakers for what is on our hearts and minds.
Saint James says in chapter 3 of his Epistle, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you realize that we will be judged more strictly, for we all fall short in many respects. If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also.”
And again, “In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions. Consider how small a fire can set a huge forest ablaze. The tongue is also a fire. It exists among our members as a world of malice, defiling the whole body and setting the entire course of our lives on fire, itself set on fire by Gehenna.” (James 3:1– 2, 5–6 NABRE)
Psalm
Psalm 92 provides an alternate path for our wayward hearts, minds and mouths. The Psalmist directs us to use our hearts and minds to meditate on God’s goodness, kindness, faithfulness, justice, holiness and steadfastness towards us. These meditations will then burst forth from our mouths in speech and song with thanksgivings, praises, and personal testimonies of how great He is and how we have experienced all His excellent qualities and grace in our lives. Not only that, but these types of meditations will deeply root our relationships with Him, making us grow vigorous and sturdy, producing fruitful service to God and others even into our old age.
This Psalm brings Philippians 4:8 to mind: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (NABRE)
Second Reading
The Apostle Paul exhorts us in the second reading to keep our glorious victory over sin and death in our bodily resurrection in and through our Lord Jesus Christ in view. Like a long-distance runner, if we focus on the finish line, following our Lord, then we will find the strength in Him to see it through to the end where our God waits for us with our rewards in hand. As our beloved Apostle says “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58 NABRE)
Gospel Acclamation
Shine like lights in the world
as you hold on to the word of life. (Philippians 2:15d, 16a)
Gospel
Finally, in the Gospel reading, Jesus reveals that, if He is not our goal, our focus as our teacher, guide, and model, then we are wandering around blindly and cannot help those around us find the way. We will lead each other into the pit.
And one of the ways we fall into the pit is by focusing on the shortcomings and sins of those around us rather than on Jesus and where we are with Him. We are trying to redirect the light on others to get it off of ourselves. Then we can forget about our own sins and become proud and arrogant, because we are no longer looking at how we fall short and are needy recipients of God’s grace.
Jesus is talking about judging, condemning and not forgiving others here, as verse 37, which is not part of our reading, makes clear: “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.”
We will receive from Him what we give to others, both the good and the bad. If we go around judging, condemning, and not forgiving others, then that is what we will receive from Him. If we repent and stop those attitudes and behaviors with His help, then we will receive mercy, forgiveness, and healing from Him. Our mouths, attitudes, and actions reflect where we are on the inside, so pay attention to them, rather than others’ imperfections.
Conclusion
So where are we? What have our minds and hearts been absorbing and meditating on lately? What has been coming out of our mouths? What is in our attitudes, in how we treat ourselves and others, in our actions?
I mentioned ourselves in addition to others because, if we are hard on ourselves, then we will probably be hard on others, especially if, in our pride, we are not receiving mercy, forgiveness and healing from our Lord, realizing how much we need Him.
This coming week is the beginning of Lent, a time of reflection on our lives and the quality of our relationships with Jesus, a time to make course corrections with Him. May God draw us ever deeper into His heart of love and transform us into the likeness of His Son. Amen.
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