8th Sunday - Look at One's Own Faults before Others

Today, I would like to talk to you about three topics. The first topic is about the Gospel. The second topic is about Lent, which begins this week on Ash Wednesday. The final topic I would like to discuss with you is a Eucharistic Youth event for our parish.

In today’s Gospel Jesus gave teachings that remind us to look at ourselves more than others. Once we do that and achieve good changes and free ourselves of evil ways, we will bear much fruit.

Thus, bearing good fruit begins with making ourselves good. This requires much self- reflection, self-examination, and humility. And that is always the hardest part. We all have tendencies to look at everyone before we look at ourselves. It is the other who must be wrong not us. We have eagle eyes for the mistakes of others while being blind and neglectful of ourselves. We give ourselves all the benefits of the doubt. Understanding, patience, and mercy are always available to self. But we don't do that for others as we ought.

For Jesus, this attitude is not productive. Change, if needed will not happen. Why? Because the other who is the object of criticism is also looking at us and is doing the same. In other words, we see each others defects, but we do see our own? And when we do not see our own defects, change can't happen. Change begins with self. Rarely does one change because someone points out our sins or defects. In most cases, we are offended. If and when we admit our defects, change comes very gradually or minimally.

Religious brothers and sisters have meet once a month in what they call "Chapter of Faults". During the Chapter of Faults each one will tell the faults of others. And they enjoy being told their short comings, so they can grow in holiness. They want to grow in virtue and holiness by seeing their faults and overcoming them.

But if we heed Jesus’ call to focus more on ourselves, change can be immediate. If I look at myself, see my defects, admit their presence in me, understand the need to change them, and finally decide to address them, change will happen. 

Jesus did not mean that we cannot criticize each other. No one sees everything. We all have our blind side. Jesus was stressing the fact that humility is basic. Learning to humble ourselves opens ourselves to the concern of others. The combination of self-criticism and fraternal correction is a perfect recipe for becoming a good person. And, as the Gospel says, “A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good…”

    The second reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, reminds us why goodness should be maintained. The sting of death is sin. Goodness and holiness defeat death. Not that we will not die physically but life eternal is the fruit awaiting and if we don't attempt to be holy, we can lose our soul to eternal death. (Taken from Fr. Benny Tuazon)

The second topic is Lent. This coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. We have two Masses on Ash Wednesday 7am and 6:30pm, with Confessions before each Mass. Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence. We abstain from meat and also fast. We can eat one meal and if necessary two smaller meals that don’t equal a meal. Or we can fast on bread and water or perhaps eat a bowl of soup without meat. We will have Stations of the Cross at 6pm before Mass on Ash Wednesday.

I would like to encourage go to Confession at the beginning of Lent and then towards the end of Lent go to Confession again or even more often. Monthly confession or weekly Confession is very good for your soul. We have Confession before every Mass. Take seriously your Lent this year.

You will receive many graces if you attend Holy Mass during week and receive Holy Communion. There is nothing greater you can do during Lent than to receive Jesus in the Eucharist often.

During Lent, make a resolution to pray the Rosary every day. In the bulletin is a pamphlet on how to pray the Miracles Rosary.

The last topic is a Eucharistic Youth Festival here at Holy Trinity. With the permission and encouragement of Fr. Michael we can schedule, perhaps, Sunday, May 4th.

The youth event will include a Passion Play (which is really an outdoor Stations of the Cross for the public), a Eucharistic Procession, Eucharistic Adoration under the stars. We will watch the Eucharistic Video called “Jesus Thirsts.” Two priests will give talks. We will dinner for the youth.

We will need help in either making costumes or purchasing them. 8^th grade through high school will play actors play the parts of Jesus, Mary, John, Mary Magdalene, the weeping women, Simon, Pilate, Soldiers, good thieves. Its really much more simple than it sounds. Its really just the Stations of the Cross lived out in public-- with a few added scenes such as the crowning of Jesus with thorns and the scourging at the Pillar. We can practice the Stations during PSR time. Its a good way to learn our faith and to share our faith with others.

I think it will be fun for the youth and inspiring for the local people to watch. If you are willing to help, let me know. Let me know if there any objections to May 4^th for the Eucharistic Youth Festival.

Let’s bring Jesus to the community, so that others may fall in love with Him, who loved us so much He carried His cross and suffered His passion and rose from the dead, that we may have life with Him by giving Himself to us in the Eucharist.

May the Virgin Mary guide each of you to have a blessed Lent and inspire you to love our faith and be willing to share it with others.