SUNDAY, EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Sir 27: 4-7 Ps 92: 2-3, 13-16 1 Cor 15: 54-58 Lk 6: 39-45
WORDS MIRROR THE HEART!
“All of you have heard of the power of words, how wonderful they are! Every book — the Bible, the Koran, and the Vedas — is full of the power of words. Certain words have wonderful power over mankind…” This is an extract from Swamy Vivekanand’s religious teachings. Vivekananda himself was one of the most integrated global leaders whose words have motivated millions of people! The reading of this Sunday (8th Sunday) invite us to reflect on the importance of the words that come out of our mouths because they mirror our inner person and reveal outwardly if we are integrated persons or not. Using three choicest metaphors Ben Sira, the author of the Book of Ecclesiasticus or Sirach gives us some ethical teachings in this regard. Jesus, who became the wisdom incarnate, would take the words of Ben Sira to greater heights when he says in today’s gospel, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
The garden with fertile soil yields quality fruits. Similarly, God’s word today advises us to cultivate the garden of our minds from where thoughts and words spring forth. Today’s liturgy of the word will help us a great deal to cultivate right Christian attitude and be diligent in speech. i) all that we have and all that we are is God’s gratuitous gift. There is nothing we can boast of as our achievement. Hence, like the psalmist in today’s responsorial psalm, let us always remain thankful to God. Like the Virgin Mary, let our mouths proclaim the marvels of God and of his merciful love. ii) In the same responsorial psalm, the just person is compared to a palm-tree, Lebanon cedar or a quality tree planted by the water source. As a Christian, I am invited to cultivate some moments of personal prayer or communion with God. It is only when the branch abides by the divine vine, Jesus, it bears the fruits of the Holy Spirit. St John of the Cross, a Carmelite mystic has a useful spiritual maxim which beautifully summarizes this thought: “Bridle your tongue and your thoughts very much, direct your affection habitually toward God, and your spirit will be divinely enkindled.” What are my efforts to remain in constant communion with my God?
St Paul highlights the purpose of the Christian life – we are made for eternity. In this sense all that we do, say and the way we live have eternal significance! Therefore, often we need to sow in our minds thoughts concerning our final destination and ‘in fear and trembling’, aided by divine grace need to work for our salvation.” How often do I turn my mind to the final goal of my life?
Today’s Gospel further offers us substantial food by which we are sure to grow into integrated persons and radiate the light of Christ to others by our words and ways. Jesus by his words, “a disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” invites us to become like him. He is our perfect model. Christian discipleship consists in gradual putting on of the mindset of Jesus Christ. In his spiritual doctrine, ‘The Ascent of Mount Carmel’, St John of the Cross, while teaching the souls the path of purification and holiness has this precious teaching on the importance of the Imitation of Christ, “first, let him have an habitual desire to imitate Christ in everything that he does, conforming himself to His life; upon which life he must meditate so that he may know how to imitate it, and to behave in all things as Christ would behave.”
“No good tree bears bad fruits,” says the Lord. The Cross on which Jesus offered himself for our salvation itself is a good tree which bore the eternal fruit of our salvation! Today’s gospel has yet another insight that will help us to lead an integrated Christian life. While paying heed to Jesus’ words we must be slow to pass uncharitable judgment on others. St Teresa of Avila in her spiritual doctrine on humility tells us to be slow to see the faults of others and quick to seek opinion about our won imperfections.
Response: It is good to give thanks to you, O Lord.
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