The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/091617.cfm)
reminds me to examine and be conscious of my fruits.
A mango tree bears mango, a
buko tree bears buko. Looking at a tree will not only give you what fruit it
will bear, but also what quality. A strong, mighty and leafy mango tree would
usually give good fruit. A good tree bears good fruit, a rotten tree bears bad
fruit.
A fruit gets its quality from what's inside the tree.
Jesus warns us to look past the
superficial level – to look beyond the seemingly harmless appearance and see
what is inside. Jesus wants is to look deep into our hearts and see beyond what
other people see, beyond what we project, beyond what we say. Jesus is asking
us to examine our lives and see what is inside of us, because eventually it
will come out and bear fruit.
We
all bear fruit.
Jesus sees what is inside of
us. He sees way past our actions, our image and reputation and what we say or
project to other people. Kahit sabihin mo, or
ipakita mo sa ibang tao, alam ni God ano yung nasa loob ng puso mo.
Minsan, kahit hindi mo alam, kahit hindi ka aware, alam ni God. God knows.
That’s why it is important to always pray and ask his guidance as he reveal
what is really in our hearts.
Consistency is the key.
Minsan,
hindi pareho ang sinasabi natin sa ginagawa natin. In the gospel Jesus further
tells us that we should live consistently with our words. We should not only
say we love God, we should live it. Hindi
pwedeng puro salita. Hindi puwedeng puro realizations. Our life, our actions, should be consistent to what we
say and what we project.
Am I
seeking God’s will in my actions? Do I constantly try to make an effort to
examine my life and change my ways, as I pray that God help me discern what’s
in my heart? Are my words consistent with my actions? What fruits am I bearing
in my life? Do I bear good fruit?
May we be inspired and do our
best to bear good fruit for God.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another
weekend. Thank you for reminding me that I should bear good fruit. Lord,
Sorry for the times I don't give it much thought. Sorry for the times I get
contented with a good reputation and image, and not a good fruit. Lord, I ask
that as I live my life, You help me to be always aware of my intentions, of
what is inside my heart. I pray that I always seek your guidance and seek and
obey your will above all so that I can glorify you. May my actions always be
consistent with my words. May my life be my love letter to you. May my life
bear good fruit for your glory. Amen.
Blessed
weekend!
In
Christ,
-g-
Ps
See
related reflection:
September 16, 2017
Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs
Lectionary: 442
Reading 11 TM 1:15-17
This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Of these I am the foremost.
But for that reason I was mercifully treated,
so that in me, as the foremost,
Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example
for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life.
To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God,
honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Responsorial PsalmPS 113:1B-2, 3-4, 5 AND 6-7
Praise, you servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD
both now and forever.
R. Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever.
From the rising to the setting of the sun
is the name of the LORD to be praised.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens is his glory.
R. Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever.
Who is like the LORD, our God,
and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?
He raises up the lowly from the dust;
from the dunghill he lifts up the poor.
R. Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever.
AlleluiaJN 14:23
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 6:43-49
"A good tree does not bear rotten fruit,
nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.
For every tree is known by its own fruit.
For people do not pick figs from thornbushes,
nor do they gather grapes from brambles.
A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good,
but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil;
for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' but not do what I command?
I will show you what someone is like who comes to me,
listens to my words, and acts on them.
That one is like a man building a house,
who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock;
when the flood came, the river burst against that house
but could not shake it because it had been well built.
But the one who listens and does not act
is like a person who built a house on the ground
without a foundation.
When the river burst against it,
it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed."
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