Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Times
Sir. 27:4-7 | Ps. 92:2-3, 13-16 | 1Cor. 15:54-58 | Lk. 6:39-45
All of the readings point to being believable in the sight of God and people. We cannot say one thing and then do another and expect others to follow and do what we tell them to do. We must first become the Word, that is, live each and every minute of our lives according to the teaching or the leading of Christ. Our words and actions come out of the depths of our beings. These words and actions will not betray our thoughts and beliefs. If we spend our lives harboring hateful thoughts and possess hatred for God and others then our actions will be hateful. If we spend time in prayer with loving thoughts and inner reflection of love, then our deeds will be loving and our lives will be such that those we mingle with will be touched by our loving deeds and actions. All of these readings point to this type of living. Jesus reminds us of what Paul and Sirach are stating. The fruit of the tree reveals the quality of the tree. Bad fruit comes from rotten trees, good fruit comes from good trees. The trees of our lives become good if we surround ourselves and our inner lives with goodness. Our lives will become bad or rotten if we surround ourselves and our inner lives with evil people or evil material.
Today, reflect on your life. How much time do you spend in prayer each day? How much time do you spend in reflection on the Sunday homily and reading? How much time do you spend watching good and wholesome T.V. programs, movies, or other media? How much time do you spend with your spouse and children in enjoying the good things of the earth? Take time to decide on one area of change. Perhaps it will be as simple as spending five minutes each day in quiet prayer and reflection. Whatever it is, be sure you make it something good, something realistic that is achievable.