Mar 2 2025

First reading Ecclesiasticus 27:5-8

The test of a man is in his conversation

In a shaken sieve the rubbish is left behind,

so too the defects of a man appear in his talk.

The kiln tests the work of the potter,

the test of a man is in his conversation.

The orchard where a tree grows is judged on the quality of its fruit,

similarly a man’s words betray what he feels.

Do not praise a man before he has spoken,

since this is the test of men.

Responsorial Psalm 91(92):2-3,13-16

Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praise to your name, Most High,
To proclaim your kindness at dawn
and your faithfulness throughout the night.
Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
The just one shall flourish like the palm tree,
like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow.
They that are planted in the house of the Lord
shall flourish in the courts of our God.
Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
They shall bear fruit even in old age;
vigorous and sturdy shall they be,
Declaring how just is the Lord,
my rock, in whom there is no wrong.
Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

Second reading 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

Death is swallowed up in victory

When this perishable nature has put on imperishability, and when this mortal nature has put on immortality, then the words of scripture will come true: Death is swallowed up in victory. Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? Now the sting of death is sin, and sin gets its power from the Law. So let us thank God for giving us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Never give in then, my dear brothers, never admit defeat; keep on working at the Lord’s work always, knowing that, in the Lord, you cannot be labouring in vain.

Gospel Luke 6:39-45

Can the blind lead the blind?

Jesus told a parable to his disciples: ‘Can one blind man guide another? Surely both will fall into a pit? The disciple is not superior to his teacher; the fully trained disciple will always be like his teacher. Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own? How can you say to your brother, “Brother, let me take out the splinter that is in your eye,” when you cannot see the plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter that is in your brother’s eye.

‘There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces sound fruit. For every tree can be told by its own fruit: people do not pick figs from thorns, nor gather grapes from brambles. A good man draws what is good from the store of goodness in his heart; a bad man draws what is bad from the store of badness. For a man’s words flow out of what fills his heart.’

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Look within

In today’s parable, Jesus invites us to look within and see what is inside our hearts. He calls us to be aware of our blind spots. He leads us to be conscious of the motives behind our words and actions or the hidden prejudices that may colour our judgments and reactions. The gospel challenges us to a healthy self-examination: to recognise the ‘planks’ we may carry within. Jesus’ purpose in drawing our attention within is not to inflict guilt, accuse or condemn us. Instead, He leads us to deeper self-knowledge, making us more honest and humbler in our self-perception and relationships with others.

In prayer, let us not be afraid to journey within with Jesus. Let us be open and allow Jesus to help us remove all that hinders our growth in love. Humbly, we ask Him for the desire to grow in maturity in our vision of self and others. With eyes of faith, we see Him coming gladly to guide us in goodness and love.

Reflective question:
What ‘plank’ do I have in my eye that Jesus is inviting me to remove?

Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.