When a sieve is shaken, the refuse appears;
so do a person’s faults when he speaks.
The kiln tests the potter’s vessels;
so the test of a person is in his conversation.
As its fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree,
so does our speech discloses the cultivation of our mind.
Do not praise anyone before he speaks,
for this is the way people are tested.
so do a person’s faults when he speaks.
The kiln tests the potter’s vessels;
so the test of a person is in his conversation.
As its fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree,
so does our speech discloses the cultivation of our mind.
Do not praise anyone before he speaks,
for this is the way people are tested.
Second reading 1 Corinthians 15:54-58
When 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.” “O death, where thy victory? sting?” The sting of sin, and power sin law. But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, steadfast, immovable, always abounding work Lord, knowing that your labour not vain.
Jesus told them a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbour, ‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye.
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil;
for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.”
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil;
for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.”
Reflection
By Bernard M. Borja
When I was 5 years old, my kindergarten teacher taught her class not to say bad words. One day after class, I saw her talking loudly with her friends using words I did not know of. I asked my mother what those words mean. Since then, I knew what bad words are.
I was 9 when I saw my grade school teacher talk to the parents of my classmates very politely. I remembered the time she was shouting and almost throwing things at us just to make us learn to speak politely not only to elders, but to everyone. The next school day, I cannot even speak to my classmates.
In my childhood I was taught to properly dispose off trash. When I have small wrappers, I put those in my pocket when there were no bins around. It was a habit developed even to this day. But I also got used to leaving the place where I ate with all the trash and waste still on the table especially at restaurants. I always say, “May maglilinis naman nyan (Someone will clean those.)” I never realized that cleanliness is a responsibility of everyone in all places, not just in one.
Some time ago, I saw posts in the social media from one of the people I look up to. It was about taking care of employees and subordinates properly, treating them as part of the family towards reaching success. I felt very confused because I did not feel “family” being a “student” of this person. It made me ask myself, “Am I a bad fruit of the tree I came from? Or do I ever belonged to be considered a fruit?”
These may be common confusions of people today. We think we can tell others what the right ways are, but never consider looking within ourselves first. As I write this, I remember how I have been so much of a “teacher” to those who I look at through their mistakes. I even think of myself how “better” I do things compared to their ways. But I realize that I am looking mostly of my own reflection. I feel ashamed. And this may be the reason why I do not look within myself before I look at others’ mistakes. The very common but worse excuse that we can come up with is to blame others for something that we can actually do something about, but we chose to give the responsibility to other people, so we won’t feel ashamed if it turns out wrong.
Jesus reminds us to take responsibility in taking the “log” from our own eyes to see clearly,
before deciding to point out others’ mistakes and help them change. Coming from the words of the greatest teacher, Jesus wants to perfect us as we look out for each other and lead one another. He constantly takes us back on track to remind us that we all come from the good tree which produces good fruits. We may often look at others through their mistakes, but Jesus invites us to discern first how we can help ourselves in realizing our own mistakes, so that we can accompany others and learn from one another.
When I was 5 years old, my kindergarten teacher taught her class not to say bad words. One day after class, I saw her talking loudly with her friends using words I did not know of. I asked my mother what those words mean. Since then, I knew what bad words are.
I was 9 when I saw my grade school teacher talk to the parents of my classmates very politely. I remembered the time she was shouting and almost throwing things at us just to make us learn to speak politely not only to elders, but to everyone. The next school day, I cannot even speak to my classmates.
In my childhood I was taught to properly dispose off trash. When I have small wrappers, I put those in my pocket when there were no bins around. It was a habit developed even to this day. But I also got used to leaving the place where I ate with all the trash and waste still on the table especially at restaurants. I always say, “May maglilinis naman nyan (Someone will clean those.)” I never realized that cleanliness is a responsibility of everyone in all places, not just in one.
Some time ago, I saw posts in the social media from one of the people I look up to. It was about taking care of employees and subordinates properly, treating them as part of the family towards reaching success. I felt very confused because I did not feel “family” being a “student” of this person. It made me ask myself, “Am I a bad fruit of the tree I came from? Or do I ever belonged to be considered a fruit?”
These may be common confusions of people today. We think we can tell others what the right ways are, but never consider looking within ourselves first. As I write this, I remember how I have been so much of a “teacher” to those who I look at through their mistakes. I even think of myself how “better” I do things compared to their ways. But I realize that I am looking mostly of my own reflection. I feel ashamed. And this may be the reason why I do not look within myself before I look at others’ mistakes. The very common but worse excuse that we can come up with is to blame others for something that we can actually do something about, but we chose to give the responsibility to other people, so we won’t feel ashamed if it turns out wrong.
Jesus reminds us to take responsibility in taking the “log” from our own eyes to see clearly,
before deciding to point out others’ mistakes and help them change. Coming from the words of the greatest teacher, Jesus wants to perfect us as we look out for each other and lead one another. He constantly takes us back on track to remind us that we all come from the good tree which produces good fruits. We may often look at others through their mistakes, but Jesus invites us to discern first how we can help ourselves in realizing our own mistakes, so that we can accompany others and learn from one another.
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
We thank You for opening our hearts to see clearly the good in each other. Teach us to be humble like You so that we may be with each other in our journey as You perfect us to be good fruits of Yours. We also pray to our dear Mama Mary to intercede for us, guide us in the right path, and draw us closer to You. Amen.
Dear Jesus,
We thank You for opening our hearts to see clearly the good in each other. Teach us to be humble like You so that we may be with each other in our journey as You perfect us to be good fruits of Yours. We also pray to our dear Mama Mary to intercede for us, guide us in the right path, and draw us closer to You. Amen.
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