Reflection for Sunday – March 2, 2025

Gloria UlterinoSunday Readings Homilies

Readings: Sirach 27: 4-7; 1 Corinthians 15: 54-58; Luke 6: 39-45 
Preacher: Gloria Ulterino

Are you ready?  Am I?  Lent is almost here!  We begin this coming week, on Ash Wednesday: our season of self-examination… of preparation for Eastertime joy.

So, are you ready?  This weekend’s readings point the way, ready or not.  In fact, today’s Gospel, which I recall from 35 years ago, has remained with me over all these many years.  Why?  Because, in preparation to preach, I focused on this question: “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?”  To make sure that everyone saw the point, I decided to carry in a huge chunk of wood, at least 6 feet tall, as part of the Entrance Procession.  As we started down the aisle, one of my good friends giggled.  I even brought it to the ambo with me, as I began to preach.  All I can say is this!  That chunk of wood was heavy!  Clumsy!  Inconvenient!  In the way!  Impossible to be ignored!  Yep!  It made the point!

And my point was this.  While I don’t remember now exactly what I said then, here’s what I can say now.  As Sirach, the Wisdom writer of the second century before Jesus, proclaimed: words matter.  Our words matter.  They speak volumes about what’s in our heart, like it or not.  They can even reveal the kind of care—or lack of care—we have experienced thus far in life.  Luke, our Gospel writer, puts it this way: “From the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.”

So, back to the beginning of Mass that day.  We were all about to prepare for the season of Lent.  A time to recall our recent past.  For some of us, a time to gratefully acknowledge how fortunate we are to have been loved, unconditionally.  Even with all our mistakes.  Even with all our failures to speak and act as we would have liked.  Knowing, at the same time, that we are loved by God.  Unconditionally.  And, loved by others, as well.  Even (and perhaps especially) in and through the tough times that are certain to come to everyone on this planet.  For the truth is this: there are always others who have not yet experienced such unconditional love.  How can they be assured that going through such tough times, with the grace of God, can truly make us more caring and understanding, more resilient and capable of loving others?  How can they become the best that is in them?  How can they refuse to be overwhelmed by their tough times?

  In truth, the tough times can, in fact, seem overwhelming.  Several years ago a deacon friend invited me to join him in ministry at the downtown jail.  It wasn’t long before I wanted to lead prayer there on my own, once a month, with Communion for everyone who showed up.  In the process, I needed to overcome a personal challenge: to know that I was absolutely safe there.  For, indeed, I was.  And, in no time at all, I knew it.  I felt it.  In fact, I loved those times of prayer.  The men came first, about 35 of them, or so.  Then the women arrived a bit later, a much smaller group.  With them, it was mostly a conversation about the readings.  It always led me to quietly question: How was it that life had brought them to this place?  And what would it take for them to be able to walk away into a fulfilling life?  I still don’t have the answers.

 But, of this I am certain!  God has gifted each of us with a passion for healing, or speaking, or listening (that’s a big one!)… or using our hands and our hearts to create something… whether it’s by teaching, singing, dancing, or just simply being our very best selves.  Thus, we can each ask ourselves:  Do we know our gifts?  If not, has someone tried to point them out to us?  Have we listened, and paid attention?  Oh, that’s so very important!  Because, we’re all meant to help one another discover our gifts… and to use them… for the good of our bruised and broken world.  Yes, we each have a role to play!  Let me say that again.  We, each and every one of us, have a role to play.  Then, and only then, can we put down this heavy chunk of wood we’ve been lugging around.  Ahhhh!  That feels so much better!

Then, and only then, can we say with Paul (who, remember now, made more than his own share of mistakes):  “Be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of our God, knowing that our labor is not in vain.”  Yes, that means each and every one of us; it means all the labor we might consider insignificant.  In the process, we will truly discover what our Gospel write Luke claims to be true: how we speak… and how we act… has the power to release God in our world.  Whether in a big way, or a tiny way, it doesn’t matter.  When it’s our way, how we speak and how we act, has the power to release God in our world.  So, go!  Release God’s power for good!  We can do it.  God needs us to do it!  

Gloria Ulterino
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