Today's readings point out that our true nature is revealed by our words and actions. A person's words reveal his doubts, his strengths, and his true thoughts.
Just as the dust remains when one shakes a sieve, so will the doubt of a man remain in his thoughts. The furnace tests the potter’s vessels, and the trial of the tribulation tests just men. As the pruning of a tree reveals its fruit, so does a word reveal the thoughts in the heart of a man. SIR 27:5-7
So what words does a righteous man express? Certainly, words of praise to the Lord. And how will God reward a man who utters such words? He will live life abundantly, not necessarily in terms of financial success, but his basic material, spiritual and emotional needs will be satisfied: food, clothing, shelter, peace, and grace. And if he does not enjoy great success in this life, then he will certainly experience it in heaven!
And what actions should we be taking? Actions that bring glory to God. St Paul says that our actions should reveal tenacious faith and a willingness to labor for the Lord. The world may not see the benefit of such a life, but God does and he rewards such devoted laborers with eternal life.
And when this mortality has been clothed with immortality, then the word that was written shall occur: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who has given us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. And so, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and unmovable, abounding always in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not useless in the Lord.
1 Cor: 54-58
In the Gospel, Jesus takes up the same message: your words and actions reflect the state of your soul. Is your own life in order before you start criticizing others for the life they lead? If not, you would be like a blind man trying to lead another blind man across a highway full of speeding cars! We need to get our own house in order, before we start complaining about someone else's house.
Now he told them another comparison: “How can the blind lead the blind? Would they not both fall into a pit? The disciple is not above his teacher. But each one will be perfected, if he is like his teacher. And why do you see the straw that is in your brother’s eye, while the log that is in your own eye, you do not consider? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, allow me to remove the straw from your eye,’ while you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? Hypocrite, first remove the log from your own eye, and then will you see clearly, so that you may lead out the straw from your brother’s eye.
Jesus goes on to talk about how our actions and words reveal our true motives. Good comes from good; evil comes from evil.
For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor does an evil tree produce good fruit. For each and every tree is known by its fruit. For they do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather the grape from the bramble bush. A good man, from the good storehouse of his heart, offers what is good. And an evil man, from the evil storehouse, offers what is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. LK 6: 39-45
It is in the next line (which is not part of today's reading) that Jesus says that there are souls who come before him to be judged and call him "Lord, Lord!" But Jesus then asks the soul what he has done for his kingdom. The soul may try to bluff his way into heaven, but Jesus can read one's heart and he knows if the soul sincerely spoke and acted in ways that promoted God's kingdom. If not, Jesus will cast that soul into hell for Jesus never knew him. His words and actions bore no fruit.
Now go and serve our King!
God bless!
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