Every tree is known by its own fruit
Published Sep 10, 2022 12:05 am
REFLECTIONS TODAY
People in Palestine and elsewhere distinguish “good” trees or plants from “rotten” ones. Brambles, thorns, and thistles bear no fruits and a reminder of the cursed ground because of man’s sin in the beginning (Gn 3:17). Fig trees and grapevines produce fruits for people’s enjoyment. A time of peace is symbolized by everyone sitting under his vine and under his fig tree, and none makes them afraid (Mi 4:4).
In like manner, a human person is known by the fruit coming from his heart, which is the core of his being. The heart determines the actions of people. From unclean or evil heart come all kinds of impure thoughts that translate into evil actions: sexual immorality, theft, murder, etc. (Mk 7:21). On the other hand, a good heart produces virtues of faith, hope, love, compassion, humility, etc. These virtues come from listening to the words of Jesus and acting on them. A person with a good heart stands on solid ground and remains faithful despite the trials and storms of life.
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 thorn bushes, 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 person 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.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
People in Palestine and elsewhere distinguish “good” trees or plants from “rotten” ones. Brambles, thorns, and thistles bear no fruits and a reminder of the cursed ground because of man’s sin in the beginning (Gn 3:17). Fig trees and grapevines produce fruits for people’s enjoyment. A time of peace is symbolized by everyone sitting under his vine and under his fig tree, and none makes them afraid (Mi 4:4).
In like manner, a human person is known by the fruit coming from his heart, which is the core of his being. The heart determines the actions of people. From unclean or evil heart come all kinds of impure thoughts that translate into evil actions: sexual immorality, theft, murder, etc. (Mk 7:21). On the other hand, a good heart produces virtues of faith, hope, love, compassion, humility, etc. These virtues come from listening to the words of Jesus and acting on them. A person with a good heart stands on solid ground and remains faithful despite the trials and storms of life.
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 thorn bushes, 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 person 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.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.