TRUTH IN WORDS FROM HEART AND DEEDS

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Sirach 27:4-7, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, Luke 6:39-45 The Integrity of Words and Deeds

A pastor finishes his sermon on Sunday and says to the congregation:

“Next week, I want you all to read Mark chapter 17 to get ready for my sermon. You are dismissed.”

The next Sunday, the congregation comes back to church. After singing a few hymns, the pastor stands up to speak.

“How many of you read Mark chapter 17 like I asked you to?” Everyone raises their hands.

The pastor smiles and says, “And it was a great chapter, right? Amen?”

The congregation replies, “Amen!”

The pastor pauses for a moment, then with a smile says, “Well, Mark only has 16 chapters. Now, I’ll begin my sermon on the sin of lying.”

A recent survey shows that only about 29-34% of Americans trust social media. Why don’t we trust it? Why have we become so skeptical of what people say? The truth is, many people no longer worry about speaking falsehoods. They care more about the benefits their words bring than the truth itself. That’s why social media often promotes certain political or social views, shaping opinions instead of just sharing the facts. It’s no wonder that this lack of truth has led to a breakdown in trust.

The Gospel today, from Luke 6, reminds us of a powerful truth: "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" (Luke 6:45). Our words reflect what is in our hearts. If our hearts are filled with goodness, our words will be good. But if our hearts are filled with deceit, our words will reflect that too.

In today’s world, we face so many voices—on social media, in the news, and even in our own conversations—that speak with little regard for truth. We hear words that manipulate, mislead, or distort reality. It can be hard to know what to trust. But as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard. Our words must always be true, not for our gain, but for the good of all.

Pope Francis once said, “We should not be afraid of proclaiming the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable, but we should be afraid of speaking the truth without love.” We are called to speak the truth, but not just in any way—our truth must be spoken with love, with compassion, and with respect for the dignity of others.

Let me tell you a story of a king who truly lived by his words. In a kingdom long ago, the king made a decree that anyone found guilty of bribery would be punished severely.

To his great sorrow, the first person caught breaking the law was his own mother. The king, torn between his love for his mother and his commitment to his word, had to make a choice.  Despite the personal pain, there was no exception to the decree, not even for his mother. For three days, the king struggled with his decision. On the fourth day, he appeared before the people with his mother and ordered her hands to be bound. He had her brought before the people, and as the punishment was about to be carried out, he surprised everyone.

As the first lash was about to land on her, the king rushed to her side, unbound her, and ordered the soldiers to bind his own hands. He took the punishment himself, receiving the fifty lashes. Bloodied and pale, the king turned to the people and said, "The law has been carried out. The blood of your king has been shed to atone for this crime." From that moment on, corruption and bribery were never mentioned again in the kingdom.

This king’s actions were an example of integrity. He didn't just talk about truth—he lived it, even when it hurt. Sometimes, we must sacrifice for the truth of what we have spoken, don’t we? That is exactly what Jesus has done. The eternal and living Word of God did not come to merely speak about truths concerning God and Himself or to give moral teachings. He came to sacrifice for the truths He proclaimed. The Word sacrificed for the truth He spoke.

“THIS IS THE WORD OF OF THE LORD”- THE WORD OF THE LORD

This leads us to a deeper reflection on the words we hear at Mass. After every reading, we hear the phrase, “The Word of the Lord.” Some of you may remember that, for many years, we used to say, “This is the Word of the Lord,” but the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) changed it to “The Word of the Lord” to ensure a more accurate translation and to align with the original languages of the Scriptures and theological clarity.

But beyond the translation, there is a deeper spiritual meaning. When the reader or the priest says, “The Word of the Lord,” he is not just referring to the text we have heard. He is inviting us to realize that we, as members of the Body of Christ, are being transformed by the Word of God. You, my dear brothers and sisters, become part of the Word of God, the eternal Logos, the eternal Word. When we listen to God's Word, we are not just hearing words on a page; we are being drawn into a deeper union with Christ, the Word made flesh.

EUCHARIST COMPARISION;

This is a powerful truth because, just as we become part of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist, we also become one with the Word of God after hearing it proclaimed. Every Sunday, we come together to hear the eternal, living Word of God. We carry that Word in our hearts, and it is up to us to allow that Word to penetrate our souls so that every word we speak aligns with the truth of God's Word. Each word we speak should be in harmony with the Word of God so THAT WE MAY BEAR MUCH FRUIT, FOR EVERY TREE IS KNOWN BY ITS OWN FRUIT.

Brothers and sisters, we are called to speak the truth, to act with integrity, and to let our words match what is in our hearts. Yes, sometimes the truth is difficult to hear, and sometimes it demands sacrifice, but we must never shy away from it. If we want to rebuild trust in our communities, in our families, and in the world, it starts with us—being truthful in all we say and do.

So let us pray: Lord, help us to always speak the truth, and may our hearts be filled with Your goodness. May our words reflect Your love, Your mercy, and Your justice. And may we be faithful witnesses to the truth, in all things and at all times. Amen.