1. Just as a tree is known by its fruits, Sirach says, so people are known by their conduct. How would you determine your vote? By what they say, or what they do? Or both?

2. The furnace shows what the potter molds, How does this relate to “tribulation is the test of the just”? Are you more likely to believe the words of people like Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, on the subject of anti-racism, over people who were not tested?

Second Reading
1 Corinthians 15:54-58

1. Georges Bernanos says in The Diary of a Country Priest, “Grace is everywhere.” How could that statement apply to the first sentences in this reading: “when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality…”

2. Just as grace changes the corruptible, will it also change death? How? Why does St. Paul say death will lose its sting?

Gospel
Luke 6:39-45

1. “Brother, let me remove that splinter. … ” Before we undertake correcting others’ problems, what does Jesus ask us to check out in ourselves?

2. Do you think these teachings of Jesus are a good start for Church leaders? “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice; blessed are the merciful.” Could these help them learn to “see clearly” as leaders, discerning a right path?

With the question: can a blind man lead a blind man?” (Lk 6:39), he wishes to emphasize that a leader cannot be blind, but must see clearly. That is, he must have wisdom in order to lead wisely, otherwise he risks causing damage to the people who are entrusted to him. Jesus thus calls attention to those who have educational responsibility or who govern: spiritual pastors, public authorities, legislators, teachers, parents, exhorting them to be aware of their delicate role and to always discern the right path on which to lead people.

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully taught will be like his teacher” (Lk 6:40). It is a call to follow his example and his teaching in order to be sound and wise leaders. And this teaching is included above all in the Sermon on the Mount — which, in the past three Sundays the liturgy has offered us in the Gospel—indicating the attitude of meekness and of mercy in order to be honest, humble and just people.

Pope Francis
Angelus for Eighth Sunday
March 13, 2019