Gospel Reading – Luke 6:39-45

The third and final section of Luke’s Sermon on the Plain begins: And he told them a parable. There are actually four parables, three of which we read today. They are all about how to be a good disciple.

The blind cannot lead the blind. And a disciple cannot be a good disciple unless he or she has learned from the teacher. Everyone who is fully trained is like the teacher who knows how to cure the blind. Before you can be a good disciple and teach others you must take care of yourself. Do not try to take a speck out of your brother’s eye until you have taken the board out of your own. Finally, only when you have purified yourself can you produce the good works that the teacher requires. Discipleship asks us to produce good deeds. But to produce them requires the integrity and purity of heart found in the teacher. When people see your good deeds they will know that this is because you have a good heart.

The final parable, which we do not read today, is about building on the solid foundation of rock and not on sand. This is the only way to face the difficulties a disciple will encounter and survive. (Sunday Connect – LoyolaPress)

God sees the heart and always will. We may put on a great show of words and actions, but it is what is at the root of these that is so clearly visible to God. Focusing on the faults of others, no matter how true, takes the focus off of our own faults. The words of Jesus also recall the first reading, as he reflects how a sound tree cannot produce rotten fruit and how a rotten tree cannot produce good fruit – and how a person’s words flow from what fills their heart.

1. How have you experienced “observing the splinter” in another’s eye while “ignoring the log in one’s own”– either in being judged by someone else, or by being the one to judge?

2. How does this echo another statement by Jesus: “let the one without sin cast the first stone” (John 8:7) and “judge not lest you be judged (Matthew 1:7)?

3. “How confident are you that you see clearly? Do you think you see clearly enough to help others see? Do you think you see clearly enough to help without hurting? How many people are walking around doing harm, all the while convinced that they are helping?”(Commentator Dave Barnhard/ Diocese of Saskatoon)

Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary

We are being called to God-like behaviour: radical loving, radical forgiving, radical generosity. If there is no difference between the way we behave and the way non-Christians behave, then how has Jesus transformed us and our faith communities. All Christian behaviour is meant to be God-like and is its own reward.

Reflection: Has God’s generous love ever moved you to love an enemy? How does God’s Word challenge me this week?

Reflection: Diocese of Saskatoon
Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary

Today’s gospel reading is the beginning of what is often called the Sermon on the Plain. We find a parallel to this passage in Matthew 5:1-7,11 that is often called the Sermon on the Mount. As these titles suggest, there are differences and similarities between these gospel readings.

When spoken from the mountaintop in Matthew’s Gospel, we can’t miss the impression that Jesus is speaking with the authority and voice of God. The mountaintop is a symbol of closeness to God. Those who ascend the mountain see God and speak for God; recall the story of Moses and the Ten Commandments. As Luke introduces the location of Jesus’ teaching, Jesus teaches on level ground, alongside the disciples and the crowd. Luke presents Jesus’ authority in a different light. He is God among us.

Another distinction found in Luke’s version is the audience. Luke’s Sermon on the Plain is addressed to Jesus’ disciples, although in the presence of the crowd; Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount is addressed to the crowd. In keeping with this style, the Beatitudes in Luke’s Gospel sound more personal than those in Matthew’s Gospel—Luke uses the article “you” whereas Matthew uses “they” or “those.” There is also a difference in number: Matthew describes eight beatitudes; Luke presents just four, each of which has a parallel warning.

The form of the Beatitudes found in Luke’s and Matthew’s Gospel is not unique to Jesus. Beatitudes are found in the Old Testament, such as in the Psalms and in Wisdom literature. They are a way to teach about who will find favor with God. The word blessed in this context might be translated as “happy,” “fortunate,” or “favored.”

As we listen to this Gospel, the Beatitudes jar our sensibilities. Those who are poor, hungry, weeping, or persecuted are called blessed. This is, indeed, a Gospel of reversals. Those often thought to have been forgotten by God are called blessed. In the list of “woes,” those whom we might ordinarily describe as blessed by God are warned about their peril. Riches, possessions, laughter, reputation . . . these are not things that we can depend upon as sources of eternal happiness. They not only fail to deliver on their promise; our misplaced trust in them will lead to our demise. The ultimate peril is in misidentifying the source of our eternal happiness.

The Beatitudes are often described as a framework for Christian living. Our vocation as Christians is not to be first in this world, but rather to be first in the eyes of God. We are challenged to examine our present situation in the context of our ultimate horizon, the Kingdom of God.

1. What in your life makes you feel blessed?
2. How much time and energy do you devote to seeking material security compared to seeking spiritual sustenance?
3. Have you experienced being ridiculed or insulted for taking a stand for Jesus, or do you know of anyone who has?

Taken form Sunday Connection – LoyolaPress
Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary
Diocese of Saskatoon

In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches from Simon’s boat. Jesus turns to Simon and instructs him about where to lower the fishing nets. Simon and others have been fishing throughout the night and have not caught anything. Simon protests, claiming that such an effort would be futile. Simon ultimately obeys Jesus and lowers his nets into the deeper water as directed. Notice here that Peter calls Jesus by the title “master.” He already recognizes Jesus as a person of authority. They catch so many fish that the nets begin to tear; Jesus’ presence has created abundance out of scarcity, just as it did at the wedding feast at Cana, which we heard at Mass just a few weeks ago.

Simon Peter becomes a follower of Jesus immediately. He calls Jesus “Lord”—the title given to Jesus after his Resurrection—and protests his worthiness to be in Jesus’ presence. Today’s Gospel, therefore, marks a turning point in the relationship between Jesus and Peter.

Two of Simon’s partners are also named as witnesses to the event described in today’s Gospel: Zebedee’s sons, James and John. Yet Jesus’ words are addressed only to Simon. Jesus gives Simon a new job, telling him that he will become a different kind of fisherman. No longer will he catch fish; instead he will catch people. In these words, we hear the beginning of the leadership role that Peter will have within the community of disciples. Peter was chosen for this role. His task will be to bring others to Jesus. Already he is doing so; the Gospel tells us that all the fishermen with Peter also left their nets and followed Jesus.

We continue to speak of Peter’s leadership and influence in the Church today when we call the pope the “successor of Peter.” We participate in the mission of the Church when we bring people to Christ through the example and positive influence of our lives.

Taken from LoyolaPress – Sunday Connection
Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary

“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing” – today and every day the Scripture is being fulfilled should we have the ears to hear and the eyes to see. The Word of God is alive, as it has been in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Jesus spoke in the synagogue, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.”

Are we able to hear and receive words of wisdom, caution and consolation from those around us?

Are we open to people who its hardest for us to hear from?

To see reality as it is, we must start with the hardest reality of all to face—that of sincerely seeing ourselves—to see that we are little, poor and humble. Only then can we hope to look upon our neighbour with humanity, with tenderness, and for the true dignity instilled in their very being, with reverence for the God who dwells within. This type of deep self-knowledge, awareness of our gifts and shortcomings, and this profound love of the other transcends division, misunderstanding, disagreement. This is how we prepare our hearts to receive the “words of the prophet”, the word of truth and life in our hearts, and there may it grow and flourish.

“God of the prophets, help us to listen to your word. Infuse in our families, friendships and communities’ deep bonds of trust, honesty and tenderness. Help us to be open to a culture of encounter and dialogue wherever we find ourselves. Amen.“

Taken from CCCB-Reflection
Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary