Daily Readings - Sun Mar 02 2025
1 Corinthians
54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."55"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.58Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Luke
39He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?40A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.41"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?42How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.43"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.44Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his 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.