By: FR. Jose “Joesum” Sumampong, Jr.
FEBRUARY 27, 2022
8 SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME ©
Sirach 27: 4-7 / Psalm 92: 2-3, 13-16 /I Corinthians 15: 54-58 / Luke 6: 39-45
THREE APHORISMS
Word: The readings for today are full of aphorisms. An aphorism is a tersely phrased statement of a truth or opinion; an adage. Simply an aphorism is a brief statement of a principle. Let’s look at three of the aphorism found in the Gospel of Luke 6:39-45.
First. “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?” (Luke 6:39)
Second. “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?” (Luke 6:41)
Third. “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.” (Luke 6: 43-44)
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Order: Regarding the first. People cannot teach until they have learned. This is true in every aspect of our life. It is even more so in the life of the Church. We, in the Catholic Church, are blessed with a teaching authority which is referred to as the “Magisterium”.
Magisterium of the Church is defined as “The Church’s teaching authority, instituted by Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, which seeks to safeguard and explain the truths of the faith. The Magisterium is exercised in two ways: extraordinary, when the Pope and ecumenical councils infallibly define a truth of faith or morals that is necessary for one’s salvation and that has been constantly taught and held by the Church; ordinary, when the Church infallibly defines truths of the Faith: 1) taught universally and without dissent, 2) which must be taught or the Magisterium would be failing in its duty, 3) connected with a grave matter of faith or morals, and 4) which is taught authoritatively. Not everything taught by the Magisterium is done so infallibly; however, the exercise of the Magisterium is faithful to Christ and what He taught.” The Magisterium consists in the Pope, the Bishops, theologians and consultants.
Furthermore, the Magisterium does not just exist among the hierarchy. It also exists among those who have received the sacrament of confirmation. Those who have been confirmed have received the gift of the Holy Spirit to grow in the understanding of the faith. It is for this reason that today’s gospel is challenging us: when, as all human beings, we have times of doubt, or times that we have difficulty understanding what we believe or why we believe, we have to consult knowledgeable persons in the area. Or better still, we also have to bend our knees in prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to help us grow in the understanding of our faith. Indeed, the blind cannot lead another blind.
Regarding the second. Psychologists might restate the second aphorism in these terms: we tend to transfer our irritation over our own failings to others. So we decry someone’s faults as a way of covering up our own. Jesus Christ was applying good psychology when he said: “Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye” (Luke 6:42).
This gospel is thereby challenging us: when we go through those negative days—when other people irritates us, we have to take a step back and make a quick self-reflection of what upsets us. More likely we shall discover that we are really agitated of ourselves.
Finally, with regards to the third. It is telling us that each tree is known by each fruit. With somebody does consistently good things, we know that he or she is a good person. On the other hand, when a person is continually stirring up trouble, we know that this person must be troubled. The fruit reveals the person. In the same way, it is not enough for us to say that we are saved and act as pagans. In fact, it is not enough being saved. Being Christians, we are challenged to make our actions as clear reflection of God’s gifts to us. If we do not, then our actions will only demonstrate the insincerity of our conversion.
As a summary, we look forward to this coming Wednesday, March 2, 2022. It will be Ash Wednesday. The liturgical season of lent begins. We do need this lent as an opportune time to further grow in our faith life. Lent is a time for us to examine ourselves: do our lives demonstrate Christ’s continuing conversion in our lives?
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Realities: The story is told of an office manager who sent out a memo to her associates. He advised them in unnecessarily strong language to avoid bad syntax and misspelled words. Quietly his workers placed the memo on the desk of their superior. But, before doing so, they underlined with bold red pen three incorrectly spelled words.
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Direction: Lord, instead of going about criticizing, help me look for opportunities to give genuine compliments. Make me to be constantly reminded that “the fragrance always remains in the hand that gives the rose.” Amen.