March 2, 2025: 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Approaching the end of the Sermon on the Plain in the Gospel according to St. Luke, Jesus calls His disciples not to fixate on the imperfections of others, but to turn inwardly and examine ourselves.  Because no one is perfect, we draw upon God to fill us so that we can bear good fruit.  No one is above our Teacher, and we should turn to Him so He can fill us to live His way.

We can persist in the good work of displaying righteousness in this world because Jesus has conquered death victoriously.  We live with great hope and purpose because of the newness of Life we have in our Savior.

Lent starts soon, and we go with hope, like in the spirit of this Jubilee Year, because we know that our God is alive in us and we have purpose.  It was that sense of purpose that motivated me as I traveled 500 miles with a group to serve in Nebraska 12 years ago this week as it inspires me to keep serving, especially as I accompany young people in my parish community to the sacrament of Confirmation so Christ may be alive in them.