The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062619.cfm)
reminds me that I
should be conscious of the fruits I bear.
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.
In
the gospel, we are reminded that we will know people from the fruits or
actions. We will know the tree from its fruits. We will know the quality if
tree by the quality if the fruits. 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. That’s why it is
important to always pray and ask his guidance as he reveal what is really in
our hearts.
We
all bear fruit. Fruits that are lasting. Fruits that are real. Not just
superficial. We should be conscious of what fruits we bear, for it testifies to
the life we live and ultimately to our faith. We should aim to be one with God,
rooted in God, so we can bear good fruit always.
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? 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
reminder. Thank you for reminding me that I should bear good fruit. 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 life bear good fruit for your
glory. Amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
June 26 2019
Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 373
Lectionary: 373
Reading
1 GN15:1-12, 17-18
The
word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:
"Fear not, Abram!
I am your shield;
I will make your reward very great."
But Abram said,
"O Lord GOD, what good will your gifts be,
if I keep on being childless
and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?"
Abram continued,
"See, you have given me no offspring,
and so one of my servants will be my heir."
Then the word of the LORD came to him:
"No, that one shall not be your heir;
your own issue shall be your heir."
He took him outside and said:
"Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can.
Just so," he added, "shall your descendants be."
Abram put his faith in the LORD,
who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.
He then said to him,
"I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans
to give you this land as a possession."
"O Lord GOD," he asked,
"how am I to know that I shall possess it?"
He answered him,
"Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old she-goat,
a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon."
Abram brought him all these, split them in two,
and placed each half opposite the other;
but the birds he did not cut up.
Birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses,
but Abram stayed with them.
As the sun was about to set, a trance fell upon Abram,
and a deep, terrifying darkness enveloped him.
When the sun had set and it was dark,
there appeared a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch,
which passed between those pieces.
It was on that occasion that the LORD made a covenant with Abram,
saying: "To your descendants I give this land,
from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River the Euphrates."
"Fear not, Abram!
I am your shield;
I will make your reward very great."
But Abram said,
"O Lord GOD, what good will your gifts be,
if I keep on being childless
and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?"
Abram continued,
"See, you have given me no offspring,
and so one of my servants will be my heir."
Then the word of the LORD came to him:
"No, that one shall not be your heir;
your own issue shall be your heir."
He took him outside and said:
"Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can.
Just so," he added, "shall your descendants be."
Abram put his faith in the LORD,
who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.
He then said to him,
"I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans
to give you this land as a possession."
"O Lord GOD," he asked,
"how am I to know that I shall possess it?"
He answered him,
"Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old she-goat,
a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon."
Abram brought him all these, split them in two,
and placed each half opposite the other;
but the birds he did not cut up.
Birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses,
but Abram stayed with them.
As the sun was about to set, a trance fell upon Abram,
and a deep, terrifying darkness enveloped him.
When the sun had set and it was dark,
there appeared a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch,
which passed between those pieces.
It was on that occasion that the LORD made a covenant with Abram,
saying: "To your descendants I give this land,
from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River the Euphrates."
Responsorial
Psalm PS
105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9
R.(8a) The Lord remembers his
covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations—
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations—
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia JN
15:4A, 5B
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord;
whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord;
whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MT
7:15-20
Jesus
said to his disciples:
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing,
but underneath are ravenous wolves.
By their fruits you will know them.
Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Just so, every good tree bears good fruit,
and a rotten tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit,
nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down
and thrown into the fire.
So by their fruits you will know them."
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing,
but underneath are ravenous wolves.
By their fruits you will know them.
Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Just so, every good tree bears good fruit,
and a rotten tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit,
nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down
and thrown into the fire.
So by their fruits you will know them."
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