Call Us: 617-846-7400

Address: 320 Winthrop St, Winthrop, MA 02152

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • About
    • Ministers and Staff
    • Facilities
    • History
    • Links
  • News & Events
  • Donations
    • Donate Now
    • Planned Gifts
    • Holiday Meal Donations
    • Holiday Flowers
    • Grand Annual Collection
    • Commitment to Parish Life
    • Planned Gifts
  • Ministries
    • Community Help
    • Baptism
    • Parish Ministries
      • Bereavement Group
      • Collections
      • Eucharistic Ministers
      • Kenyan Community
      • Lectors
      • Liturgy Committee
      • Music Ministry and Choirs
      • RCIA
    • Committees
      • Commitment to Parish Life Committee
      • Buildings and Property Committee
      • Communications and Technology
      • Finance Committee
    • CYO Basketball
    • Weddings
      • Marriage Prep Program
  • Religious Education
    • Confirmation
      • Service – Why is it important?
      • Choosing your Sponsor
      • Choosing a Confirmation Name
  • Contact

Call Us: 617-846-7400

Address: 320 Winthrop St, Winthrop, MA 02152

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube

St. John the Evangelist Church

St. John the Evangelist Church

  • About
    • Ministers and Staff
    • Facilities
    • History
    • Links
  • News & Events
  • Donations
    • Donate Now
    • Planned Gifts
    • Holiday Meal Donations
    • Holiday Flowers
    • Grand Annual Collection
    • Commitment to Parish Life
    • Planned Gifts
  • Ministries
    • Community Help
    • Baptism
    • Parish Ministries
      • Bereavement Group
      • Collections
      • Eucharistic Ministers
      • Kenyan Community
      • Lectors
      • Liturgy Committee
      • Music Ministry and Choirs
      • RCIA
    • Committees
      • Commitment to Parish Life Committee
      • Buildings and Property Committee
      • Communications and Technology
      • Finance Committee
    • CYO Basketball
    • Weddings
      • Marriage Prep Program
  • Religious Education
    • Confirmation
      • Service – Why is it important?
      • Choosing your Sponsor
      • Choosing a Confirmation Name
  • Contact

Gospel Reflection from Notre Dame

 

 

Melissa (Harraka) Green ’98, ’00 M.Ed.

As the mother of four children and a school principal responsible for the Catholic education of over 400 students, I found several verses in today’s gospel that caused me anxiety. The verses about good fruit, in particular, had me worried.

That’s because I sometimes fall into a shallow thinking pattern. If the children I raise and guide are the fruit of my labors, and they do not turn out to be intelligent, respectful, kind, or holy, then I am clearly like the brambles. I have failed to prove myself as worthy or successful. It would be far easier for my ego and my inflated sense of pride if other people—namely my children, my students, and even the teachers in our building—just did all the right things that would make me look good.

But how fitting that Jesus’ parable about hypocrisy leads into these verses and illuminates the foolishness of such anxieties. If we fixate on the worthiness of others and the splinters in their eyes rather than on our own faithfulness and conversion, we are hypocrites who fall into a lifeless trap.

The more we look to judge or criticize others, especially as a means of inflating ourselves, the more we blind ourselves spiritually. To best fulfill my vocations as mother and educator, I must worry less about how others behave according to my standards and focus more on my prayer life, my own need for mercy, and my relationship with Christ.

Today’s gospel is a beautiful invitation to be honest with ourselves and our shortcomings and trust that the spiritual clarity that comes from such honesty will make us more fully like Christ, our ultimate teacher.

 

Share or Comment
on Reflection
Share:
Prev
Next

Latest Reflections

Gospel Reflection from Notre Dame

’22, ’24 M.T.S. Spiritual...

Daily Inspiration from JesuitPrayer.org

Jn 14:23-29 Jesus answered him, “Those who...

Bishop Barren’s Gospel Reflection

John...

Gospel Reflection from Notre Dame

Sean McGraw ’92, ’00 M.Div. Time is...

© Copyright 2012-2021 by St John the Evangelist All Rights Reserved

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube