This week, the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the gospel is portraying that you must always put yourself before others and once you take care of that, then you can take care of others. In other words, you should never sacrifice yourself and put others before you. In order to help others you must also take care of yourself. As said in the gospel, “Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.” This is telling the viewer that you must take care of yourself before trying to take care of your brother.
Another lesson taught from this gospel is that you must always respect your teacher and know that they are your guidance to excellence. Your teachers brushes a path for you to follow, not to become a master at something, but to be just as good as them. As said in the text, “No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.” This is portraying that with hard work and perseverance, you can become just like how you were taught. Although, oneself can never be better than its teacher.
A third lesson taught in this gospel is that everyone is unique in their own way. That every single person has their own characteristic that is only owned by them. Said in the text, “For every tree is known by its own fruit.” This symbolizes a “tree” as a person and a “fruit” as a personality trait. To synthesize, for every person, they are known by their own unique trait.
I can personally relate to this gospel in many ways. In specification, in the past I have experienced times where I have put others before myself. This always resulted in me with more pain and regret. So lesson learned, always take care of yourself and make sure you’re happy but also your friends and family are too. Another way I can relate to this gospel is when I have learned many teachings from my guidancers, but I am confident I will never become as talented as they are. For example, my coaches, they have taught me so much over the years, but I will never acquire the amount of skill and knowledge as them.
Take care of yourself before others, realize your worth, respect your teachers, be unique, and follow the Lord.
--M Readings at USCCB.org Living the Word resource First Reading: Sirach 27:4-7
Psalm: 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:54-58
Gospel: Luke 6:39-45
