23rd Week in Ordinary Time
16th September 2023 (Saturday) Readings and Reflection
Psalter: Week 3
Reading of the Day
First Reading: 1 Timothy 1:15-17
Beloved: The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5a and 6-7 (R. see 2)
R/. May the name of the Lord be blest for evermore.
Alleluia
V/. Alleluia R/. Alleluia
V/. If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, says the Lord; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel : Luke 6:43-49
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord', and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Highlight: Tree, known by its fruits!
Guidlines: Good words are good but they will fall shallow and inadequate when they do not become good actions{alertSuccess}
1. We are living in a world where many people try to impress others with very fine words. But these words are not implemented in good actions. These may sound nice. They also loudly call out, "Lord, Lord". But they do not do what say or hear.
2. In fact, these are like those who build their house on the ground without a foundation. When the floods, rains and winds hit it, it will collapse because its standing is very weak and peripheral. On the other hand, those who hear the word and follow it are like those who build the house on a firm foundation of rock. Whatever the fierce force of floods, rains or winds, the house remains steady.
3. Therefore, words alone do not suffice. They must be testified in actions. It is like a tree bearing good fruits. Every tree is known and judged by its fruits. A good tree must bear good fruits. No good tree can bear bad fruits, nor a bad tree bear good fruit. If a good tree fails to bear fruits, then it has failed in its very nature of abundant fruitfulness. Similarly, if a bad tree claims to bear good fruits, then there is falsity and hypocrisy.
4. Now, the important point is, whether we are built on a deep foundation of rock, or without a foundation simply on the ground. Do we remain deep and well-rooted in God? Do we build ourselves on the solid foundation of faith? Do we stand strong and persevering when adversities and unfavourable situations assail us?
5. Further, referring to the image of tree and fruits, we ought to be good trees and bear abundant fruits. We can prove ourselves as good trees only when we bear the abundant fruits of good actions. If so, why do we not grow as good trees? Are we really striking our roots in the Lord? Do we diligently take care of the tree of our life to grow well and become fruitful?
Practice: The mere beauty or space of a building does not make it lasting and durable. It is the firmness of its foundation. A tree is good or bad depending on whether it produces an abundance of good fruits. Are we productive and fruit-bearing?{alertSuccess}