23RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 2 / (Red)
St. Cornelius, pope & martyr / St. Cyprian, bishop & martyr /
Memorial of Blessed Virgin Mary
Ps 113:1b-2, 3-4, 5a & 6-7
Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever.
1st Reading: 1 Tim 1:15-17
This saying is true and worthy of belief: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. Because of that, I was forgiven; Christ Jesus wanted to display his utmost patience, so that I might be an example for all who are to believe, and obtain eternal life. To the King of ages, the only God, who lives be yond every perishable and visible creation—to him, be honor and glory forever. Amen!
Gospel: Lk 6:43-49
No healthy tree bears bad fruit, no poor tree bears good fruit. And each tree is known by the fruit it bears: you don‘t gather figs from thorns, or grapes from brambles. Similarly, the good person draws good things from the good stored in his heart, and an evil person draws evil things from the evil stored in his heart. For the mouth speaks from the fullness of the heart.
Why do you call me, ‘Lord! Lord!‘ and do not do what I say? I will show you what the one is like, who comes to me, and listens to my words, and acts accordingly. That person is like the builder who dug deep, and laid the foundations of his house on rock. The river overflowed, and the stream dashed against the house, but could not carry it off because the house had been well built.
But the one who listens and does not act, is like a man who built his house on the ground without a foundation. The flood burst against it, and the house fell at once: and what a terrible disaster that was!“
REFLECTION:
Sometimes a tree can produce fruit that looks good but tastes bad. Sometimes the mouth can speak words that belie what lies in the heart! Like the one who repeatedly calls out “Lord, Lord“ but does not do what the Lord commands. But one cannot go on deceiving the world for long. Soon such appearances fail and what is deep within us shows through. What is needed is an alignment between what we are and what we say and do. That can only happen if our foundations are right. Blessed are those whose roots are in the Lord so that their fruits will be genuine.
Watch your words today. What do the reveal about your heart and your roots?
Daily Reflection
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
Readings and Reflections
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