Cycle C -- Homily -- 8th Sunday of Ordinary Time -- 27 February 2022

Cycle C – Homily – 8th Sunday of Ordinary Time – 27 February 2022

Lectionary I                                           Lectionary II

Sirach 27:4-7                                         Sirach 27:4-7

Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16                    Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15

1 Corinthians 15:54-58                           1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Luke 6:39-45                                         Luke 6:39-49

[We have an interesting situation with today’s readings.  This is the Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time and it is also the last Sunday before Lent.  The Eighth Sunday readings are basically the same in both Lectionaries.  However, some churches that use what we have designated as Lectionary II celebrate this last Sunday before Lent as Transfiguration Sunday.  They keep these Eighth Sunday readings as (Not used this year).  Users of Lectionary I and the rest of Lectionary II users celebrate the Transfiguration in August.  We’ll do the same and celebrate today as the Eighth Sunday.]

The first reading is from the book of Sirach, a collection of writings by Ben Sira, probably a well-versed Jewish scribe. This book is sometimes called Ecclesiasticus (not to be confused with Ecclesiastes).  In some translations of the Bible, this book is found in the Apocryphal section between the Old Testament and the New Testament.  It is a wisdom-type book, similar to Proverbs, that is not considered canonical by some churches but is still considered to be solid ecclesial and moral teaching.  If you Google search Sirach, you will find a wealth of information.

Today’s reading from Sirach incudes a list of common-sense statements that we can analogize to our daily lives, points we all know about human nature if we just stop and think about it.  For instance, Sirach 27:6 says: “Its fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree; so a person's speech discloses the cultivation of his mind.”  We all know that and we can all relate.

The second reading, from 1 Corinthians, encourages us to remain steadfast in the Lord and thus becomes a steppingstone to the Gospel.

Today’s Gospel from Luke contains a series of statements that are maxims about the human condition, maxims we can all relate to.  We can certainly internalize the profound personal truth found in each statement.

One of the most famous, (or infamous) statements from this Lukan passage is the one about us, how we go after the splinter in someone else’s eye while failing to recognize the plank in our own eye.  Are we not all guilty of this?  We are so ready to criticize each other while we are guilty of the same thing – or worse.  Maybe we only do this in our minds; but we still do it.  This brings us to a very serious correlation between the Gospel teaching and our lives today.  Let’s think LENT.

As everyone probably know, Lent starts on Wednesday.  Historically, most people do (or at least think about doing) something penitential for Lent.  Of course, giving up candy for Lent is a bit quaint.  But, there are many Lenten sacrifices that are far less passé.  Sure, such big deals like giving up drinking or smoking for Lent are always good.  But, what about little silent sacrifices?  One person I know gave up salt for Lent.  She didn’t tell anyone; she just did it.  We can all do something like that.

But, what about looking at today’s Scriptural readings for some additional Lenten guidance?  We’ve probably all heard about doing something positive.  But that can be so vague!  You know, “I’m going to be nicer to people” or “I’m going to concentrate on being a better driver” or any of countless other indefinite examples.  I suggest we put the vague and the definite together.

What about if we take that vague statement about being nicer to people and put a name to it?  What if we said, I am going to be nicer to John/Jane?  That is specific, not at all vague.  What if we took it one step further?  What if every time I see John/Jane or think about John/Jane, I say (or at least think) something positive about John/Jane?  Don’t just do this with friends.  As Scripture says, “Even the Pharisees do as much.”  Instead think/say these positive points when we see or think about those we don’t like or we have issues with?  A business associate we don’t see eye-to-eye with?  A relative we have major philosophical differences with?  A politician we can’t stand?  Let’s start by saying or thinking something positive about these non-friends.  It is OK to start out with something simple.  John has nice glasses.  I like the design on Jane’s scarf.  We can build from there.  We can go from thinking/saying nice things to consciously doing nice (extra) things for others.

Sometimes this positive approach is difficult.  This is especially true if we are practicing on our human enemies.  But, we are told to love our enemies. Right from this Gospel, Luke 6:45 says (in part): “A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good” and we know that includes our thinking and our attitude and our actions.

It is OK to start our Lent in tiny ways.  Concentrate on the small positive steps and every day do a bit more.  We are not perfect but each of us is a good person.  We want to grow in our goodness.  This is what we want and this is what our God wants.

Have a beautiful God-filled Lent.  Not a wimpy give-up-candy Lent but a positive thought-filled and positive action-filled Lent.

Dr. Roberta M. Meehan, D.Min.