Gospel: Luke 6:43-49
Jesus said to his disciples:
“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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is Paula Seamons RIP.
Reflection:
Yesterday, Jesus reminded us to keep an eye on ourselves lest we lose in the race of life. One of the aspects of our life that we should look after is our heart “for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks”. Whatever we say conveys what is in our heart. Think about the Virgin Mary whose Most Holy Name we remember today. The words she uttered in Sacred Scriptures, few though they may be, would give us an impression of her Immaculate Heart. “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true” (Luke 1:38) shows us her humility and trust in God. “My soul magnifies the Lord” (Luke 1:46) tells us how grateful she was to the Lord who chose her to be the Mother of His Son. “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5) enjoins us to be submissive to Jesus just as she was. Mary is one of those people who listens to Jesus’ words and acts on them. Trials and persecutions were part of Mary’s life, but she remained unshaken because she has a sure foundation in God.
- What sort of words often come out of your mouth? Are they good or bad?
- How easy or difficult is it for you to say a word of encouragement to others?
- How easy or difficult is it for you to say a word of criticism against others?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Through the prayer and example of Mary, cleanse our hearts from all that displeases You and replace these with Your graciousness. Amen.
Sincerely,
Pietro
