Scripture Study for

A key motif of the book of Sirach is the role of adversity and trial both in forming character and revealing it, a notion expressed here through the image of pottery, which is both tested and strengthened in the fire of a kiln. It is only in being tested that our true character is revealed, which is why we should be careful to assess the character of others (and also of ourselves) before times of trial reveal it. Speech,  too, reveals character. Those who are garrulous and imprudent in their speech run the risk of making their own faults manifest to others; one cannot speak for long without revealing who one really is and what one really thinks. 

Paul has been arguing that because Christians bear the image of  Christ, they will experience resurrection. This means that, although our current bodies will in fact die, death itself has no final hold on us. Christ has won victory over death and will give to each of us the fruits of that victory if only we will hold firm to faith in him, trusting that all we have taken on for the sake of Christ will not have been in vain. Thus Paul concludes his Letter to the Corinthians by assuring them that although the Christian life is difficult and requires much of us, the hope of final victory remains sure for those who endure in steadfast faith. 

Jesus has been teaching that everyone must put aside their notions of how good they are and how bad others are, recognizing instead that everyone receives much more from God than they deserve. Jesus continues this lesson by pointing out that we are much better at recognizing others’ faults than our own, and that in fact we tend to be most blind to our most serious faults. We have to do the hard work of submitting to the teaching of Jesus and the mercy of God before we can presume to teach or correct others. Just as only a good tree can produce good fruit, only those who have allowed Jesus to fundamentally transform them have the true “goodness of heart” necessary to guide others.