Daily Readings - Sun Mar 02 2025
1 Corinthians
54When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."55"O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.58Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Luke
39He also told them a parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?40A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.41Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?42How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.43"For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit,44for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.45The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the importance of integrity, self-awareness, and trust in God’s plan. In the first reading from Sirach, we are reminded that our thoughts and actions reveal the state of our hearts. Just as a tree is known by its fruit, our words and deeds expose the depths of our character. The passage warns against hypocrisy and encourages us to examine ourselves before judging others. This theme is echoed in the Gospel, where Jesus uses the metaphor of the log in our own eye to teach us the necessity of self-reflection and humility. True wisdom begins with recognizing our own limitations and flaws.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians offers a message of hope and triumph. St. Paul reminds us that through Christ, death has been defeated, and sin no longer has power over us. This victory gives us the strength to remain steadfast in our faith and to trust that our efforts to live a virtuous life are not in vain. The connection between the readings lies in their shared emphasis on the transformative power of God’s grace. Just as Christ has overcome death, we too can overcome our own weaknesses and sins by turning to Him.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to live with authenticity and gratitude. Let us ask ourselves: Are we honest about our own shortcomings, or do we hide behind hypocrisy? Do we trust in God’s plan, even when the path seems uncertain? The moral lesson is clear: true freedom and joy come from living with integrity and placing our hope in the victory of Christ. As we go about our day, let us strive to be people of genuine faith, rooted in self-awareness and trust in God’s providence.