March 2, 2025 – 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Things to talk about:

• Who have been some key teachers in your life? What was important for you to learn from them?
• In this Gospel, Jesus continues to teach his disciples how to behave. Share one way you have lived as a disciple of Jesus this week.
• What does this Gospel teach us about judging and criticizing others?
• In this Gospel, Jesus teaches us that a person with a loving heart produces good things, but a person with an evil heart produces bad things. What are some ways you can learn to produce good things?

Things to do:

• What color is the vestment the priest is wearing today? This color represents the liturgical season we are in, Ordinary Time. This is the last weekend of Ordinary Time for a while.
• Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5. Spend time discussing and planning what you will do or give up individually and/or collectively for Lent this year. Commit to helping each other with these plans throughout the Lenten season.
• Examination of Conscience—when we choose to sin, we move farther away from Jesus and can confuse others about what it means to be a Christian. One way to reflect on our actions is by participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. An examination of conscience helps us to reflect on how we have or haven’t followed Jesus’ teachings.  Based on this Gospel, consider: How do my words or actions tell others about Jesus? Have there been times when you wish you thought before speaking? Have you harmed another with your words? Plan on attending the Lent Penance Service on March 11.

Closing Prayer

Prayer for All Saints

Almighty and everlasting God,
You gave us Saints so that we can honor You by recognizing Your redemptive work in them and that we have shining examples and powerful intercessors in our lives. They received blessings and righteousness from You because they belonged to a generation that sought only You. Allow me today to appreciate them for their past merits and their present prayers offered in the sight of Your divine majesty so that my life, too, may become an offering pleasing to You. Amen.

Name those who need our prayers.

Catholic Insights

Jesus offers core teachings on discipleship. Jesus asks an interesting question to set the stage for the disciples to learn, “Can a blind person guide another blind person?” First we must learn from the teacher as an apprentice. From Jesus they learned how to live a life that reflects God’s love. We continue to learn about God from Jesus, the apostles, the saints and all the Christians in our lives today.

Jesus also asks, “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?”  Jesus cautions us to be careful about teaching others by our actions. In order to see clearly and speak honestly and without judgment, we must examine our own life. Our actions must reflect our faith in God and our belief that Jesus came to offer salvation to ALL!

Good fruit springs from the goodness of one’s own heart. When we bear good fruit, we are following Jesus’ teachings and examples. Others will be able to tell what we believe by the way we act.

Did you know….The day before Ash Wednesday is known as Mardi Gras, which means “Fat Tuesday” in French. Traditionally, Mardi Gras is a day to indulge in all the sweets and other foods you are giving up for Lent. In the past, this included all fats and sugars, hence the name “Fat Tuesday.”

Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection