FROM A BAD TREE TO A GOOD TREE – 02/27/22 (Sunday)

Luke 6:42-43

42 Or how 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;

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Blessed 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time! A plant needs many factors for it to grow and be healthy. It needs sunlight, water, and nutrients from a healthy soil. If some of these factors are lacking, the plant will not be healthy, and it will not be a good tree. In the same way, when our souls are not properly taken care of, we cannot bear fruits such as growth in virtues and good works. We are conceived with stains of original sin. Our fallen human nature makes us inclined to offend God and commit wrong deeds. There were times in our lives when we're living in darkness. We were like the rotten tree that did not bear fruit. 

At the same time, Jesus did not say it's impossible for a rotten tree to be a good tree. Even though we did not persevere in following God's will before, we can still be transformed by His mercy. We need our souls to receive graces from God for us to do good and be holy. This happens when we frequently receive the Sacraments, the vessels of God's grace, such as Eucharist and confession. Jesus is also inviting us to give more time to our prayers, to reflect on God's word, and to ponder on our life for us to avoid sins and make resolutions to be better followers of Christ. However, it's still possible for a person who is in the state of grace to fall in the state of grave sin. This happens when people focus too much on their good works and accomplishments to the point of not seeing their weaknesses and imperfections. As such, they can fall to being overconfident in their faith, guilty of pride and judgmental towards other people. A good tree will only bear fruit if it's rooted on good soil. Likewise, we are called to be dependent on Jesus, the solid foundation of our faith and the source of our strength. 

Let's reflect upon the works that we do in our lives. Are they sins that offend God or are they virtues that please Him? May we always ponder on what aspect we need to improve more for us to bear good fruit in our spiritual life. Let's seek His graces through the sacraments and His guidance through our prayers. No matter what stage we are in our journey, what's important is to remain humble before God. By doing this, our Lord will strengthen us and keep us firm in Him in our path to eternal happiness. 

Amen +

 

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic