8^th Sunday in O.T. (C); 02-27-2022

Sir 27:4-7.  Ps 92.  1 Cor 15:54-58.  Lk 6:39-45

Deacon Jim McFadden

            There are different levels of spiritual development.  As the People of God, we hope that we are moving in the same direction as we strive to realize our destiny to be at-one with the Blessed Trinity for eternity.  In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus seeks to indicate to his disciples  the path to follow in order to live wisely.  But, if we have not been exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit—especially, those of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding—we must find a leader whose vision is sound and his guidance wise.  If we apprentice ourselves to someone blind or worse  narcissistic and mendacious, then we have acquired a soul buddy who is bumbling in the same darkness and both of us  will probably meet the same catastrophe.  It’s the veritable ‘blind leading the blind’ scenario, which is why we need leaders who have a high degree of humble self-awareness, who are grounded in their relationship with God, who have wisdom,   and are therefore able to lead wisely.  If a leader does not possess these qualities, he runs the risk of doing great damage  to the people who are entrusted to him.  This Gospel is a wake-up call to those who exercise political authority or educational responsibilities: spiritual guides, pastors, public authorities, legislators, judges, executives,  teachers, parents—all have to be aware of their delicate and awesome responsibilities and to be open to always discern the right path to lead people under their care.

            The question arises: who is our teacher…who is our leader?  Do we get our instructions from shock radio, cable news, the internet with their penchant for polarizing conspiracy theories or we formed from another source?  Jesus offers himself as an example of a teacher and leader to be followed: “A disciple is not above his teacher, but every one  when he is fully taught will be like his teacher” (Lk 6:40).  It is a call to follow his example and his teaching in order to be sound and wise leaders.  If a political leader or teacher does not exhibit Christ-like qualities, then we should be very wary of following them.  The last few Sundays has offered us guidelines contained in the Sermon of the Mount, which indicate that the attitude of meekness and mercy are necessary preconditions if one is to be honest, humble, and just.  If we don’t embrace these values, then we will continue down the path of ego-inflation which can only produce bad fruit of alienation,  self-absorption, and polarization. 

            In today’s Gospel, we find another significant passage, which challenges us neither to be self-referential, presumptuous nor hypocritical.  Our Lord says, “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (v. 41).  So, often as we see in the private and public arenas, it is very easy or convenient to see and condemn the flaws and sins of others, while being oblivious to that of our own with such clarity.  We always hide our flaws, often projecting them upon others: we despise in others what we hate in ourselves.  Hence, the name-calling, objectification,  and demeaning of others that is soiling our public discourse.

            As members of the mystical Body of Christ, we are interconnected with each other as brothers and sisters. So, we want to give our neighbor  wise advice to assist them on their journey.  But, as we observe and correct our neighbor’s flaws that get in the way of our solidarity, we must be aware of our own flaws.  If I believe that I have none, then I have at least one: namely, delusion!  If I’m oblivious to my own brokenness, then I can’t really criticize others—we must look within ourselves with clarity and insight.  In this way, we can act in a credible way, with humility that is imbued with love of our neighbor. 

            How do we know whether our view is clear or if it is obstructed by a log?  Again, Jesus gets right to the point:  “no good tree bears bad fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit” (vv. 43-44).  The fruits are what we say in the Confiteor: our thoughts, words, and deeds.  Indeed, those who are living in Christ, will draw good from their hearts and their mouths and those who are estranged from Jesus will draw bad fruit, practicing grumbling, complaining, seeking revenge, being resentful,  speaking ill and objectifying others.  All of this produces toxic results: it destroys families, destroys schools, corrupts the body politic, and ruins cultural ties. 

            It really comes down to who our teacher is.  Spiritual development entails hearing our teacher, understanding what he is teaching us, then having the courage to act on it.  As disciples of Jesus, if we do all of that, what will be become?  We will become like Jesus: we will become Christified, a process which was initiated at our Baptism.  Through grace we can become fully human in an imperfect world.  Jesus the teacher wants disciples who can act, survive, and flourish in a dangerous world.  That’s why we need sound and wise leaders who are like our Lord?  Those people we can trust.  Amen.