Sunday, February 27th 2022 | By Rev. Michael P. Hanifin
This is the final weekend before the start of the Lenten Season. On the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary time our readings exhort us as Christian disciples to form ourselves — mind and heart — in imitation of Christ so we can better reflect His goodness in our daily lives. As Christians we are an outward, visible sign of this invisible reality of Jesus’ presence in the World.
The first reading from Sirach offers timeless counsel: “the fruit of a tree shows the care it has had: so too does one’s speech disclose the bent of one’s mind. Praise no one before he speaks.” Jesus uses the very same analogy in today’s Gospel reading from Luke: “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.”
Everything we have is a gift from God to be used for His honor and glory. This includes the gift of speech and, even more broadly, all forms of modern-day communication — email, text, Twitter, Facebook, and the rest. What comes forth from our mouths, or our computer keyboard or smart phone, reflects what is in our minds and hearts. Our ability to communicate with each other is itself a gift that demonstrates our Christian discipleship.
In the same Gospel passage, Jesus reminds us, “No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.” The more time we spend with Jesus, our teacher, through regular prayer and a strong sacramental life, the more we will become like Him. Then all that we do and say (and tweet and post) will bring others closer to Him. This is the life’s work of the Christian. It is privileged work indeed.
As the season of Lent approaches this week with Ash Wednesday, this is an excellent time to work our habits and deeds. As Jesus said in the Gospel, “every tree is known by its fruit.” Through our words and example, the world around us may see in us the good fruits of our Christian discipleship.