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Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

March 02, 2025

Fr. John Colacino C.PP.S.

Introit

Collect

Grant us, O Lord, we pray,
that the course of our world
may be directed by your peaceful rule
and that your Church may rejoice,
untroubled in her devotion.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading Sir 27:4-7

When a sieve is shaken, the refuse appears; so do a person’s faults when one speaks. 5 The kiln tests the potter’s vessels; so the test of a person is in conversation. 6 Its fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree; so a person’s speech discloses the cultivation of the mind. 7 Do not praise people before they speak, for this is the way people are tested.

Responsorial Psalm 92:2-3,13-14,15-16

R/. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

Second Reading 1 Cor 15:54-58

When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.

Alleluia Phil 2:15d,16a

Gospel Lk 6:39-45

Jesus told his disciples a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. 41 “Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? 42 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. 43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 “Out of the good treasure of the heart, the good person produces good, and out of evil treasure, the evil person produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.”

Catena Nova

To judge sins is the business of one who is sinless, but who is sinless except God? Who ever thinks about the multitude of his own sins in his heart never wants to make the sins of others a topic of conversation. To judge a man who has gone astray is a sign of pride, and God resists the proud. On the other hand, one who every hour prepares himself to give answer for his own sins will not quickly lift up his head to examine the mistakes of others. (St. Gennadius of Constantinople)

Nothing is more serious, nothing more difficult to deal with, as I say repeatedly, than judging and despising our neighbor. Why do we not rather judge ourselves and our own wickedness which we know so accurately and about which we have to render an account to God? Why do we usurp God’s right to judge? (St. Dorotheus of Gaza)

Judge yourself and beware of passing judgement on others. In judging others we expend our energy to no purpose; we are often mistaken and easily sin. But if we judge ourselves our labour is always to our profit. (Thomas à Kempis)

No greater pride is there than judging others, nor is there anything for which God abandons us more than for judging others. Everywhere in the Scriptures God tells us clearly not to judge others, but rather ourselves…Take this thought for a conclusion: the beginning of the ruin of the spiritual life is judging others. (St. Anthony Zaccaria)

The sharper you are at noticing other people’s failings, the more apt will you be to overlook your own. (St. Ignatius of Loyola)

Surely if God’s goodness is so great that in one instant we can obtain pardon and grace, how can we tell that the person who was a sinner yesterday is the same today? Yesterday must not judge today, nor today yesterday; it is the last day that will give the final verdict. (St. Francis de Sales)

Be compassionate. When you spot faults in others, show courteous sympathy. It is both a test and a proof of your love that you can observe such faults without experiencing shock. Others will have an opportunity to bear with your faults, many of which you may not recognize yourself. Pray for anyone who has a vice and try to practice its opposite virtue. Your actions will teach others far better than your words and suffering. Look for good in others. Don’t forget this. One person’s love can help others. If you become angry and speak hastily, correct yourself immediately and pray resolutely. This also applies to grudges you may have or your desire to be the greatest…. Cry out to Christ and correct yourself. (St. Teresa of Avila)

Homily

People’s faults appear when they speak (cf. I). In that case, I should best let the homily go for today. Or at least leave Sirach for Paul and his mockery of death, his baiting the one thing many of us fear the most, if we think about it at all: Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting (II). That's one of the most famous passages of the New Testament from the 15^th Chapter of the First Letter to the Corinthians from which we've been reading these past few weeks. It contains St. Paul’s most extensive teaching on resurrection -- both Christ’s and our own – and should really be read read in its entirety rather than in snippets.

Now despite professing our faith in a life that transcends death – without which Paul said that our faith is vain and we are the most pitiable people of all -- we Christians too are part of a culture that does everything possible to deny death. Yet even Socrates knew better when he said "philosophy is a practice for death." And we'll have that opportunity on Wednesday as we observe that stark annual reminder of our mortality when we hear those sobering words once again, "Remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return." Which, of course, is true, but only for the time being. For we are people who believe this [body] which is corruptible will clothe itself with incorruptibility and this [body] which is mortal will clothe itself with immortality (II).

That's one reason the church treats the bodies of the deceased with such respect: for example, at the end of the funeral liturgy the body is incensed to acknowledge both what served in this life as a temple of the Holy Spirit, but also to point to that body's future resurrection. It's also why a preference has always been shown for burial of the body rather than cremation — thought that has been permitted since 1963 — as long as cremation does not imply a denial of the resurrection of the body. More recently, a Vatican instruction noted how,

By burying the bodies of the faithful, the Church confirms her faith in the resurrection of the body, and intends to show the great dignity of the human body as an integral part of the human person whose body forms part of their identity…From the earliest times, Christians have desired that the faithful departed become the objects of the Christian community’s prayers and remembrance. Their tombs have become places of prayer, remembrance and reflection. The faithful departed remain part of the Church who believes “in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church.

The reservation of the ashes of the departed in a sacred place ensures that they are not excluded from the prayers and remembrance of their family or the Christian community. It prevents the faithful departed from being forgotten, or their remains from being shown a lack of respect.… (Ad resurgendum cum Christo; 2016).

Even more recently, in response to the increasing practice of commingling cremains due to lack of space in cemeteries, Pope Francis clarified,

Our faith tells us that we will be raised with the same bodily identity, which is material (like every creature on earth), even though that matter will be transfigured, freed from the limitations of this world….This transformation, however, does not imply the recuperation of the identical particles of matter that once formed the human being’s body. Therefore, the body of the resurrected person will not necessarily consist of the same elements that it had before it died. Since it is not a simple revivification of the corpse, the resurrection can occur even if the body has been totally destroyed or dispersed….The ashes of the deceased person, moreover, come from the material remains that were part of the person’s historical journey—so much so that the Church shows particular care and devotion concerning the relics of the saints. (December 9, 2023)

Which is why on every dedicated altar there lie embedded relics of the saints, martyrs in particular — those who participated fully in the Paschal Mystery. "For it is altogether proper to erect altars over the burial place of martyrs and other saints or to deposit their relics beneath altars as a mark of respect and as a symbol of the truth that the sacrifice of the members has its source in the sacrifice of the Head" (Rite of Dedication of an Altar). The saints, moreover, are still with us as they await the resurrection on the last day promised to those who have eaten and drunk the flesh and blood of the Son of Man. In the words of St. Paulinus of Nola,

God, in His goodness, has willed that the Saints should be distributed among the nations, so that their aid might never be wanting to us weak mortals. If He has given the principal cities to the greatest Saints for their residence, the grace with which they are endowed for our sake is not confined to the places where their entire bodies rest; where there are but small portions, there is the same power, and God thus gives testimony to their credit in heaven. From the holy deposit the sacred ashes are scattered abroad, and become the seeds of life; let but the least drop be taken from the spring, and it is itself a source producing rivers of grace and of love (Poem. xix, xxvii)."

Or as today’s Prayer after Communion reminds us, “By this Sacrament with which the Lord feeds us in the present age, we are made [already] partakers of life eternal.” Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (II). Who lives and reigns, forever and ever. Amen.

Intercessions (Joe Milner; The Sunday Website)

For the Church: that the wisdom of God may enlighten our words and actions so that our deepest identity as children of God may be manifest.

For a re-centering of our lives during the coming Lenten season: that God’s grace will guide us to love God more fully and to love our neighbors as we do ourselves so that we may live forever Christ’s new resurrected life.

For refugees and displaced persons: that God will protect them from harm and mistreatment, guide them to places of safety, and help them find acceptance in new communities.

For all who are burdened by lack of education: that God will open new doors for them to learn, help them recognize their gifts and find new ways to put them into practice for the good of others.

For all who are ill: that the Spirit will bring healing to all burdened with illness, restore them to their activities and responsibilities, and help them to be strengthened through the care and companionship of family and friends.

For all struggling with addictions: that God will free them from all that holds them bound and help them find the resources that will help them restore their life.

For a healing of the wounds of racism and discrimination: that God will heal those who have been wounded by racism and open new opportunities for them to share their gifts and enrich society.

For greater stewardship of fresh water: that we may wisely use water and work to share this valuable resource with all who have limited access to it.

For peace: that God will guide world leaders in diffusing international tensions and help them to work together to end famine, disease, and lack of educational opportunities.

O God, our teacher and judge,
hear our prayer
as we gather at the table of your word.
Enrich our hearts with the goodness of your wisdom
and renew us from within,
that all our actions, all our words,
may bear the fruit of your transforming grace.
We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen. (ICEL; 1998)

Offertory Antiphon

Offertory Hymn (John Michael Talbot)

Enter the narrow gate
A gate that leads to life
Heals your disease
And His burden isn't light

Enter the narrow gate
A gate that leads to life
Heals your disease
And His burden is light

Pray for your enemy
Those who abuse you
Love them and do not hate
And love will follow you

Enter the narrow gate
A gate that leads to life
Heals your diesease
And His burden is light

Enter the narrow gate
A gate that leads to life
Heals you disease
And His burden is light

Forgive those who offend
And seek their forgiveness
And when you bring your gift
You will be forgiven

Enter the narrow gate
A gate that leads to life
Heals your disease
And His burden is light

Communion Antiphon (Ps 13; David R. Erb)

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O Lord my God; Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the sleep of death, Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”; Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But I have trusted in your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, Because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Closing Hymn

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see—
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

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