8th Sunday - C (February 27, 2022)

 

“Fullness of the Heart”

Luke 6: 39-45

 

Lent begins later this week. 

 

We often plan on what to give up for Lent.

 

What if we push ourselves a little further, and focus not on what to give up but on what we should make room in our hearts for?  It might still involve the giving up, but it takes us to the next level. 

 

In fact, it’s even better to ask not “What?” but “Who should we make room in our hearts for?”  Last week, when we listened to an earlier section of this same Chapter 6 from Luke, Jesus invited us “to be children of the Most High,” and to “be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

 

With God’s grace, the holy Season of Lent will make our hearts somewhat fuller with God.  

 

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8th Sunday - C (March 3, 2019)

From the Fullness of the Heart

Luke 6:39-45

For three Sundays now, we have been listening to Chapter 6 of the Gospel According to Luke.  The purpose of Jesus’ teaching in this chapter is to guide us to live as “children of the Most High” (last week’s section, Luke 6:35).

And Jesus continues today. 

If we want live as children of God, we must first allow the love that God has planted in our hearts to grow to its fullness.  Once the heart is full of God’s love, “the mouth speaks” God’s love. So will our thoughts and actions.  

8th Sunday - A (February 26, 2017)

Commentary

Matthew 6: 24-34

What/Who Is First?

Lent is about to begin.  And today’s Gospel might be quite timely in giving us some orientation for our Lenten discernment. 

To put things in perspective, three verses prior to the beginning of this passage, Jesus tells his disciples, “where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”

What/Where is my treasure?

What priority do I give to God?

Do I seek first the Kingdom of God?  If not, then what/who is first?

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8th Sunday - A

Commentary

Matthew 6: 24 – 34

Does that Measure up to God?

The word mammon is thought to come from a Hebrew word for “that in which on places trust.”  And it often refers to “wealth, money, property.”  [1] 

One of the invitations Jesus offers us in today’s Gospel passage is to examine ourselves in light of the question, “In what/whom do I place my trust?”

Would that thing or that person last forever?

Now, compare that thing or that person with God and the gift of life in God’s Kingdom, which God has already given to us, beginning in this earthly life.

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[1]  Daniel J. Harrington, The Gospel of Matthew; Sacra Pagina Series.  Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1991; p. 101.

8th Sunday - A (March 2, 2014)

Readings