You may recall this if you know, The Chronicles of Narnia and the series, but in the horse and his boy from that series, C.S. Lewis writes, “If you do one good deed, your reward usually is to be set to do another and a harder and a better one.”  As Christians, we live lives rooted in more than words. Christ shows us by example that discipleship is a way of life and that involves not only thinking and speaking, but also acting. And so in this gospel today, Jesus proclaims that every tree is known by its fruit.

In this metaphor is meant to help us understand exactly what Jesus expects of us. The way we grow. What nurtures and nourishes us directly affect how we live. Our words and our actions reveal what is on our heart. And if our hearts are not in relationship with Christ, it will be revealed by our actions. Friends, this Ash Wednesday is only a few days away. And it’s an opportunity once again to ask ourselves to challenge ourselves with this question.

How will we continue to grow this year in our relationship to Christ? And Jesus’ words in this gospel offer one possibility. And it’s a good one. Because we all know how critical we can sometimes be of our brother and sister.  And so, Jesus says or reminds us, remove the wooden beam from your eye first, then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your friend’s eye. And so, one place that we can grow more in the likeness of Christ is rather than focusing on the shortcoming of others, to focus on our own shortcomings before being critical of others. And it’s in this way that we can grow as a community

As the body of Christ, clothing ourselves with patience and kindness and sincerity, a care for one another.  And so I invite you today to spend time and reflect on your own words and actions with those with whom you interact most. Then reflect upon the reading and what we’ve heard in today’s gospel. If our hearts are not in relationship with Christ.

It will be revealed through our words and actions. Today, let us pray that with God’s help, we will have what we need to grow that store of goodness in our hearts and from there produce good that goes out into the world.  A world that is broken. A world that is still dark today.  A world that needs hope. A hope that is produced from our goodness.