FIRST READING
“Do not praise a man before you hear him speak.”
A reading from the Book of  Sirach (Sirach 27:4-7)

When a sieve is shaken, the refuse remains; so a man’s filth remains in his thoughts. The kiln tests the potter’s vessels; so the test of just men is in tribulation. The fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree; so the expression of a thought discloses the cultivation of a man’s mind. Do not praise a man before you hear him speak, for this is the test of men.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 92: 1-2. 12-13.14-15
R/. It is good to give thanks to you, O Lord.

It is good to give thanks to you, O Lord
to make music to your name, O Most High,
to proclaim your loving mercy in the morning,
and your truth in the watches of the night. R/.

The just will flourish like the palm tree,
and grow like a Lebanon cedar
Planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God. R/.

They will still bear fruit when they are old,
still full of sap, still green,
to proclaim that the Lord is upright. In him,
my rock, there is no wrong. R/.

SECOND READING  
“He gave the victory to us through Jesus Christ.”
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 15: 54-58)

Brethren: When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.

GOSPEL
“Out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 6:39-45)

At that time: Jesus told his disciples a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher but every one when he is fully taught will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure produces evil; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY’S HOMILY

This week’s readings invite us to reflect on the integrity of the human heart and the fruit that our words and actions bear. The first reading from Sirach reminds us that a person’s true character is not revealed by their external appearances or accomplishments, but by their thoughts and actions, especially in moments of difficulty. Just as a sieve separates the refuse from the useful, life’s trials expose what is truly in a person’s heart. It cautions us against premature judgment, urging us to wait until we hear someone’s words, as these can reveal the depth of their character.

The Psalm reminds us of God’s goodness and the flourishing of those who remain steadfast in their faith. Like a tree planted in the house of the Lord, the just will continue to bear fruit, even in old age. This speaks to the themes of perseverance and faithfulness, affirming that our labor for God is never in vain.

In the second reading, Saint Paul speaks of the victory over death and sin that we have through Christ. This victory encourages us to remain steadfast in our work, knowing that our efforts in the Lord will ultimately lead to eternal triumph. It serves as a reminder that the trials we face in life, including our struggles with sin and mortality, are temporary when viewed through the lens of Christ’s resurrection.

The Gospel of Luke highlights the importance of self-examination and humility. Jesus urges us to address our own flaws before attempting to correct others. This mirrors the message in Sirach, reminding us that our words and actions reflect what is within our hearts. The teaching that “out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks” calls us to cultivate good hearts so that our words and deeds may bear good fruit.

Together, these readings urge us to be reflective and discerning in our actions and words. They encourage us to cultivate humility, faith, and integrity, reminding us that our true character is revealed not by outward appearances, but by our thoughts, words, and actions in times of trial and in our relationships with others.