Reflection for March 2 Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:39-45

Gospel: Luke 6:39-45

Jesus told his disciples a parable, "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?  

How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,' when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite!  Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother's eye.  

"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. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks."

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Reflection:

A woman saw a handsome man. The handsome man, sensing that the woman was looking at him, also looked at her. Their eyes met, and she immediately fell in love with him. After a few weeks, they got married. However, two months into their marriage, the man's domineering and arrogant behavior started to unravel. 

Are you easily swayed by outward appearances? For example, have you ever seen a handsome man or a beautiful woman and felt immediately attracted to that person? An attractive outward appearance can be very deceiving. Why? Simply because we cannot fully know a person's true character based on what we see. 

What we see is merely a façade—it can be faked. The exterior is not a reflection of a person's true character. A person's true nature lies hidden in their heart, and we can only discover it once we get to know them better.

Many young people today easily fall into the trap of being captivated by outward appearances. This is often what attracts them to their future spouse. However, after marriage, the hidden, dark, and devious aspects of their partner’s character may begin to emerge. 

The same applies to friendships. We should not choose friends based solely on wealth or influence. Instead, we should befriend people because of their good character. It does not matter if a person is poor—what truly matters is the goodness that emanates from their heart. 

In our first reading, according to the book of Sirach, it says: "One’s speech discloses the bent of one’s mind" (Sirach 27:6). And in our Gospel, Jesus tells us: “From the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). 

So, how can we avoid being misled by outward appearances? We must take the time to truly know a person by engaging in conversation with them and carefully discerning their words. 

For what a person speaks comes from the heart, and what originates from the heart is the true measure of their character. — Marino J. Dasmarinas