Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection March 02, 2025
8th Sunday in Ordinary Time
02nd March 2025 (Sunday)
Psalter: Week 4
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Sirach 27:4-7
When a sieve is shaken, the husks appear; so do one’s faults when one speaks. As the test of what the potter molds is in the furnace, so in tribulation is the test of the just. The fruit of a tree shows the care it has had; so too does one’s speech disclose the bent of one’s mind. Praise no one before he speaks, for it is then that people are tested.
Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16 (R. see 2a)
R/. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:54-58
Brothers and sisters: When this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 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.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Shine like lights in the world as you hold on to the word of life.
R/. Alleluia.
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 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 thorn bushes, 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.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
8th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Opener: The life of a follower of Christ is a life that must be different from the life of the world. It is a difference in the quality of character and in the way of living.
Today’s Word of God presents us with a series of contrast pairs. In this way, we are directed on how to live a life worthy of a disciple. These contrast pairs are perishable – imperishable, mortal – immortal, death – life, defeat – victory, blindness – sight, trunk – grain, bad tree – good tree, bad fruit – good fruit, evil person – good person. The message is simple and direct: follow the positive and correct set of contrasts and you will live well and obtain victory and reward.
First, focus on the imperishable: We are destined for the imperishable. Therefore, amidst all the perishable that surrounds and misleads us, we must keep our attention on the imperishable. We must always be clear and not confused, discerning wisely and not erring recklessly, well-oriented and not disoriented. In a transitory world, everything that belongs to the earth is perishable. Only God and His grace manifested in faithfulness and goodness are imperishable.
Be guided by immortality: While the contrasting pair, perishable – imperishable can refer to the earth and the world in general, the contrasting pair mortal – immortal refers specifically to our human reality. As human beings, we are mortal. This body is subject to death and decay. But we are destined for immortality. This reminds us of our immortal spiritual existence. It is not a dichotomy between the mortal body and the immortal soul. Rather, it is an invitation to create a harmonious blend. It is a blend in which the spiritual sublimates, regulates and ennobles the merely physical. We are “spiritual” and destined for immortality.
Strive for Victory and Life: Focusing on the imperishable and immortal, we fight against all the forces of death. We will be determined to defeat the enemy and achieve victory. The enemy is strong. The forces of death manifest themselves relentlessly in the forms of hatred, aggression and violence. But nothing will hinder our march for life in eternity!
Purify and magnify your perspective: God hates judgment but blesses understanding and empathy. Many suffer from double standards, one for themselves and one for others. They are so eager to blame others for the dot in their eye, while ignoring the big log in their own eye.
Be good and share good: We are called to be good people and not bad. This implies that we grow as good trees that bear good fruit and not bad trees that bear bad fruit. A good tree must bear good fruit!
Be a discerning guide! We are called to lead others in the way of the Lord. But for this, first of all, we must know the way ourselves, see the way and walk the way. Otherwise we will be like guides who lead the blind.
Direction: Faithfulness and fruitfulness make us worthy disciples. And these are the ways to become like the master, to resemble him. He who does not follow the master, cannot resemble him!
