Reading I: Sirach 27:4-7 Responsorial Psalm: 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16 Reading II: 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 Gospel: Luke 6:39-45
May Jesus Christ be
praised, forever and ever. Amen
Several years ago, I
worked with a construction superintendent who was a huge body builder. Some
would say he was scary. Truthfully that may have been why the company hired
him.
Around his neck was
large cross that hung outside his shirt. I asked about it. He said he wore it
so people would know his faith. He confided in me that he was Catholic but went
to a non-denominational church with his wife.
Later in the day, we
visited one of his company’s construction sites. During that visit, it was hard
to recognize the Christian. The words that came out of his mouth were vulgar
and obscene. They were inconsistent with who he told me he
was. “Praise no one before he speaks, for it is then that
people are tested.”
When we started to
another location, I said to him. “I would appreciate it if you would tone down
your language when you speak to people. It’s not respectful to whom you
are speaking. It is not respectful to me and I cannot be associated with your
words.”
He apologized.
I asked him to
look at himself on that construction site. “Is that how Jesus
speaks to you? If Jesus asked for an account of your life, is that the words
you would use with Jesus?”
Then, this - big, burly, scary - body builder started crying. “No” he said, “that is not Jesus."
Over the next couple
of years, I worked with him several times. I never heard anything similar from his mouth again.
In him, I saw Jesus’
parable. “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten
tree bear good fruit. Every tree is known by its fruit; people do not pick figs
from thorn bushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles.”
All are called to
bring others to Christ. The problem is we can only show them the truth of the
healing and promise of Christ in us. If we show the world crudeness,
bitterness, hatred, and greed and say we are Christians, then we become
the blind leading the blind. Bad things will happen.
To bring someone to
Christ, we must first remove the beam from our own eye.
The message around us
is “The world does not need God.” It seems to be the path many in the world has
chosen. Even though the world cries out for peace and justice it does not know the
source of true peace and justice.
Even Christians bring the same message if God is not foremost in their life. They forget to pray and begin to set a bad example of what it is to be a Christian. So rest of the world does not expect to see Christ in the words and actions of everyday people who call themselves Christians. Instead, they see hypocrites. They see Christians not bearing good fruit.
Parent, friend, husband, wife, brother, sister, or neighbor, what do those around you see?
At one time, I would
have never said anything to my friend about his language. Even though I have
long professed a Christian, in the past my language was just as
crude. Then by prayer and contemplation came a true realization of mercy,
forgiveness, and salvation. By grace and love, the teacher trained this
disciple to be more like him.
That teacher has truly
came into the heart of my friend. He changed jobs and became more involved in
his Church. He leads the youth ministry program. “A good person out
of the store of goodness in his heart produces good…, for from the fullness of
the heart the mouth speaks.”
My beloved brothers
and sisters, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord,
knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. Continue to pray, witness the gospel, and
give to others goodness, respect, and love.
Wish good to your
neighbor. Help others in kindness. Have love and respect for all people. Always
give praise and thanksgiving to God through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God who
gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Be good, be holy, and
preach the gospel by the way you live your life and love one
another. May Jesus Christ be praised, forever and ever, Amen.
