Sep 3, 2026 Written by 

Beams and straws, size and Fruit

(Lk 6:39-42)

 

«How much our human family needs to learn to live together in harmony and peace, without all of us having to be the same!» (Pope Francis FT n.100).

 

In the assemblies of the first centuries the baptized were called «enlightened», people capable of orienting themselves, choosing and making autonomous.

The Lord did not allow his followers to take on the role of "guides" in the life of others (v.39).

The apostles of all times must only announce and remain disciples, that is, pupils of the Spirit - not experts.

God's Way is Christ himself. Person that cannot be communicated by teachers.

Global Truth: it is not an “information” that fills empty heads and useless events redundant with exteriority.

The context of today's passage abolishes judgment, in the ideal of a ‘personal’ existence transformed into wealth and gift - which ridicules any tendency of domination.

No one is master of the fate and personality of those who do not orient themselves, otherwise everyone goes astray (v. 39) - even with the best of intentions.

Jesus himself neither commanded nor directed, but educated and helped.

The rabbis got paid: He offered everything, living with his disciples [for mutual identification, but with a wide mesh].

Transparent and creative attitude: this is the true and only norm of conduct for the apostles of all times, often unable to grasp their own blindness - because they are still one-sided.

Again, of a plant it is not the size and appearance that count, but the Fruit (vv. 43-45).

All the more reason to re-emphasize that church animators are not superior to others, nor are they the repositories of absolute truths.

In fact, Jesus is incomparable: sui generis Master (v.40).

He does not have a classroom furnished with a Chair and desks. And he still teaches along the way: there introduces us to meet ourselves, our brothers and the surrounding reality; in a process, on a journey.

He does not hold quiet glossary, compilation or moralistic lessons: He amazes.

He does not reinterpret the quagmire of archaic knowledge, customs and dispositions, or fashions - authentic «beams» (vv.41-42) poked into the free eye of the soul, which deform its gaze.

He proposes his Person and his Life. As well as his reproaches - but precisely those and not other [obvious] volatile as «motes» (vv.41-42).

This while the false teachers considered themselves friends of God and recipients of obvious recognition.

From how they behaved, they seemed to feel distinctly superior not only to the people, but to the Master himself (v.40).

So He dubbed them for what they are: «hypocrites» (v.42). In the Greek language it means actors, people who act.

Jesus warns his followers [who in words gladly call him Lord: v.46] against presuming to be captains of the troop.

There is only one Master who directs and knows where to go; and each person is ‘unique’ - perhaps inexperienced and believed to be blind, but who «sees» better than the big names.

These, from their bad treasure, will bring out - just around the corner - the «ugly and corrupt» for others too (vv. 43-45; Greek text).

Instead, the man of Faith still experiences a new Beauty inside, which wants to express itself and remain at first hand - not be satisfied with tearing a "mediocre draw".

Worst of ditches (v.39) in which we fall together.

 

«We are absolutely lost if we lack this particular Individuality, the only thing we can truly say ours and whose loss also constitutes a loss for the whole world. It is very precious, precisely because it is not universal» (Tagore).

 

 

[Friday 23th wk. in O.T.  September 11, 2026]

363 Last modified on Friday, 11 September 2026 12:01
don Giuseppe Nespeca

Giuseppe Nespeca è architetto e sacerdote. Cultore della Sacra scrittura è autore della raccolta "Due Fuochi due Vie - Religione e Fede, Vangeli e Tao"; coautore del libro "Dialogo e Solstizio".

The more we do for others, the more we understand and can appropriate the words of Christ: “We are useless servants” (Lk 17:10). We recognize that we are not acting on the basis of any superiority or greater personal efficiency, but because the Lord has graciously enabled us to do so [Pope Benedict, Deus Caritas est n.35]
Quanto più uno s'adopera per gli altri, tanto più capirà e farà sua la parola di Cristo: « Siamo servi inutili » (Lc 17, 10). Egli riconosce infatti di agire non in base ad una superiorità o maggior efficienza personale, ma perché il Signore gliene fa dono [Papa Benedetto, Deus Caritas est n.35]
Each time we celebrate the dedication of a church, an essential truth is recalled: the physical temple made of brick and mortar is a sign of the living Church serving in history (Pope Francis)
Ogni volta che celebriamo la dedicazione di una chiesa, ci viene richiamata una verità essenziale: il tempio materiale fatto di mattoni è segno della Chiesa viva e operante nella storia (Papa Francesco)
It is a happy image with which, however, Jesus teaches a truth that calls us into question […] If we remove God, we remove Christ and the world falls back into emptiness and darkness (Pope Benedict)
E’ un’immagine felice, con cui però Gesù insegna una verità che ci mette in discussione […] Se togliamo Dio, se togliamo Cristo, il mondo ripiomba nel vuoto e nel buio (Papa Benedetto)
We would also like to set an example ourself, even if the smallness of our means might prevent anyone from appreciating the practical and quantitative significance of it. We want to see our own charitable institutions undergo a new development in the struggle against hunger and toward meeting the main needs of the world. This is the way and the only way to build peace (Pope Paul VI)
Vorremmo anche Noi dare l'esempio, sebbene l'esiguità dei Nostri mezzi ci impedisca di farne apprezzare la rilevanza pratica e quantitativa: Noi vogliamo dare alle Nostre istituzioni caritative un nuovo sviluppo in favore della fame e dei bisogni del mondo: è in questo modo, e non altrimenti, che si costruisce la pace (Papa Paolo VI)
As St. Ambrose put it: You are not making a gift of what is yours to the poor man, but you are giving him back what is his (Pope Paul VI, Populorum Progressio n.23)
Non è del tuo avere, afferma sant’Ambrogio, che tu fai dono al povero; tu non fai che rendergli ciò che gli appartiene (Papa Paolo VI, Populorum Progressio n.23)
Here is the entire Gospel! Here! The whole Gospel, all of Christianity, is here! But make sure that it is not sentiment, it is not being a “do-gooder”! (Pope Francis)
Qui c’è tutto il Vangelo! Qui! Qui c’è tutto il Vangelo, c’è tutto il Cristianesimo! Ma guardate che non è sentimento, non è “buonismo”! (Papa Francesco)
Christianity cannot be, cannot be exempt from the cross; the Christian life cannot even suppose itself without the strong and great weight of duty [Pope Paul VI]
Il Cristianesimo non può essere, non può essere esonerato dalla croce; la vita cristiana non può nemmeno supporsi senza il peso forte e grande del dovere [Papa Paolo VI]
The horizon of friendship to which Jesus introduces us is the whole of humanity [Pope Benedict]
L’orizzonte dell’amicizia in cui Gesù ci introduce è l’umanità intera [Papa Benedetto]
The Church invites believers to regard the mystery of death not as the "last word" of human destiny but rather as a passage to eternal life (Pope John Paul II)

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