The readings for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C tell us that our words and actions should reflect that we are Christians. In the first reading tells us to be careful in our speech. The psalm reminds us to be just and kind. In the second reading Paul tells us that Jesus Christ has given us victory over sin. In the gospel Jesus tells us to take care of our own sins before pointing out the failings of others and that our words and actions reflect what is in our hearts.
Daily Mass Readings for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
- First Reading – Sirach 27:4-7: "The fruit of a tree shows the care it has had; so too does one's speech disclose the bent of one's mind."
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 92: "Lord, it is good to give thanks to you."
- Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 15:54-58: "Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"
- Gospel - Luke 6:39-45: "A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks"
Themes for the Readings
- Being careful in our speech
- Avoiding gossip
- Thinking before posting on social media
- The power of words
See some more extended themes and reflection questions for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C at the bottom of this post.
Resources for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
I Can’t See! – A Lesson Plan on Fault Finding
This I Can’t See lesson plan on fault finding will help youth understand that they must look closely at themselves and their own weaknesses before criticizing others. It also reminds them that the words they use show what is really in their hearts.
Guide Me to Heaven Game
In this game, one youth gives instructions to other youth who are blindfolded. The first team to get everyone to “heaven” wins. You must be able to see in order to act as a guide for others.
The Confiteor Prayer (I Confess Prayer)
The Confiteor prayer is sometimes called the I Confess prayer. Confiteor means “I confess” or “I acknowledge” in Latin. It is one of the options for the Penitential Rite near the beginning of Mass. It is also just a good prayer to say to help remember our own weaknesses.
Actions Speak Louder than Words – Reflection and Discussion Questions
This reflection on the Parable of the Two Sons helps us consider that we cannot just say we are Christians. We must also act. And we must sometimes have the humility to admit we were wrong and then do the right thing.
Praise God All Day
This prayer is based on Psalm 92, which is the responsorial Psalm for this Sunday.
Social Media Graphic for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
The fruit of a tree shows the care it has had; so too does one's speech disclose the bent of one's mind. Praise no one before he speaks, for it is then that people are tested.
Homilies and Reflections for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
The Danger of Blind Guides
Every spiritual teacher and guru is eager to tell you what’s wrong with you. But unless they’ve surrendered to Christ and found salvation in him themselves, they are absolutely in no position to help you.
Get Your House in Order
Taken together these sayings remind us that those who seek to guide others, must take care that their own house is in order before they undertake the task of guiding someone else.
Spiritual Blind Spots
Let us ask ourselves what type of words we use. Words that express care, respect, understanding, closeness, compassion, or do we pollute the world by spreading venom: criticizing, complaining, feeding widespread aggression?
Pope Francis
More Themes for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
We can tend to judge people by their outward appearance, their wealth, their prestige, and so on. But what really matters is what is on the inside. But what really tells what is on the inside of a person is their conversation. What we say reflects what we really believe deep down.
And what we believe deep down can impact our relationships with others. We can be blinded by our own pride, thinking we are better than those around us. We become hypocrites, unaware of our own weaknesses. This is a barrier to our own path to holiness and certainly doesn't help us to lead others to Christ.
Reflection Questions
- Am I aware of my own blind spots?
- What am I afraid to see in my own life?
- Do my words build up the Kingdom of God or tear it down?
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