THREE COMPARISONS

This Sunday’s Gospel passage continues the Sermon on the Plain. We are in its third part (cf. Lk 6:39-45). The evangelist collects here some sayings of Jesus, formulated on different occasions, and which well illustrate the theme of the new law and authentic following. There are three comparisons. Let’s see them.
The first comparison (Lk 6:39-40) presents the mini parable of the blind man who leads another blind man. The outcome can only be disastrous (both fall into a ditch). Beware, Luke then says, of those in the Christian community who think they are teachers who surpass the Master. We must never forget that one is the Master and we are all disciples and that no one is above Christ. And if in the community there is the ministry of formation, that is, if there are teachers, they must do nothing other than transmit what Jesus said. In this regard, the biblical scholar Bruno Maggioni noted: “The word of the disciple does not lie in his personal ability but in his faithfulness”.
The second comparison (Lk 6:41-42) presents the famous saying of the speck and the beam. Certainly the Gospel calls for fraternal correction. There is no doubt about it. But here too we must be careful not to use double standards, one for ourselves (rather broad and condescending) and the other for others (more severe and rigid). Anyone who acts in this way is a hypocrite. So, where does fraternal correction begin? From oneself. This will allow us, towards others, to act with mi sura and in the due times and ways.   The third comparison (Lk 6:43-45) is that of the good tree and the bad tree. In short, if a person is good, he or she manifests good actions, if bad, bad actions. Behavior is revealing of the subject. Everything starts from the heart, observes Jesus. It is from the heart that thoughts, attitudes and actions come. If there is a change that must eventually occur, this is precisely in the heart. From a pure heart (and it must be kept that way) comes the right discernment on what is right or wrong, good or bad, true or false.

Commentary by b. Sandro Carotta, osb
Abbazia di Praglia (Italy)

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves,
Prinknash Abbey