Saturday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 442
Lectionary: 442
Beloved:
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.
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
R. (2) Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever.
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.
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
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whover loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whover 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
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.”
“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.”
Meditation: A life built on a solid foundation
Why does Jesus set figs and grapes over against thorns and
brambles? The fig tree was the favorite of all trees for the people of
Palestine. It symbolized fertility, peace, and prosperity. Grapes, likewise,
produced wine, the symbol of joy. Thorns and brambles were only good for
burning as fuel for the fire. There's a proverbial saying that you know a tree
by its fruit. Likewise a person will produce good or bad fruit depending on
what is sown in the heart. Charles Read said: "Sow an act and you reap a
habit. Sow a habit and you reap a character. Sow a character and you reap
a destiny." Character, like fruit, doesn't grow overnight. It takes a
lifetime.
A healthy and sound mind produces good fruit
Jesus connects soundness with good fruit. Something is sound when it is free from defect, decay, or disease and is healthy. Good fruit is the result of sound living - living according to moral truth and upright character. The prophet Isaiah warned against the dangers of falsehood: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness (Isaiah 5:20). The fruits of falsehood produce an easy religion which takes the iron out of religion, the cross out of Christianity, and any teaching which eliminates the hard sayings of Jesus, and which push the judgments of God into the background and makes us think lightly of sin.
Jesus connects soundness with good fruit. Something is sound when it is free from defect, decay, or disease and is healthy. Good fruit is the result of sound living - living according to moral truth and upright character. The prophet Isaiah warned against the dangers of falsehood: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness (Isaiah 5:20). The fruits of falsehood produce an easy religion which takes the iron out of religion, the cross out of Christianity, and any teaching which eliminates the hard sayings of Jesus, and which push the judgments of God into the background and makes us think lightly of sin.
How do we avoid falsehood and bad fruit? By being true - true to
God, his word, and his grace. And that takes character! Those who are true to
God know that their strength lies not in themselves but in God who supplies the
grace we need to live as his disciples. The fruit of a disciple is marked
by faith, hope and love, justice, prudence, fortitude and temperance. Do you
cultivate good fruit in your life and reject whatever produces bad fruit?
What kind of foundation are you building your life?
Jesus told another story about the importance of building on the right foundation to reinforce his lesson about sound living. When Jesus told the story of the builders he likely had the following proverb in mind: When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm for ever (Proverbs 10:25). What's the significance of the story for us? The kind of foundation we build our lives upon will determine whether we can survive the storms that are sure to come. Builders usually lay their foundations when the weather and soil conditions are at their best. It takes foresight to know how a foundation will stand up against adverse conditions. Building a house on a flood plain, such as a dry river-bed, is a sure bet for disaster!
Jesus told another story about the importance of building on the right foundation to reinforce his lesson about sound living. When Jesus told the story of the builders he likely had the following proverb in mind: When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm for ever (Proverbs 10:25). What's the significance of the story for us? The kind of foundation we build our lives upon will determine whether we can survive the storms that are sure to come. Builders usually lay their foundations when the weather and soil conditions are at their best. It takes foresight to know how a foundation will stand up against adverse conditions. Building a house on a flood plain, such as a dry river-bed, is a sure bet for disaster!
Our character is revealed in the choices we make
Jesus prefaced his story with a warning: We may fool other people with our speech and gestures, but God cannot be deceived. He sees the heart as it truly is - with its motives, intentions, desires, and choices (Psalm 139:2). There is only one way in which a person's sincerity can be proved, and that is by one's practice. Fine words can never replace good deeds. Our character is revealed in the choices we make, especially when we are tested. Do you cheat on an exam or on your income taxes, especially when it will cost you? Do you lie, or cover-up, when disclosing the truth will cause you injury or embarrassment? A true person is honest and reliable before God, themselves, and their neighbor. Their word can be counted on. What foundation is your life built upon?
Jesus prefaced his story with a warning: We may fool other people with our speech and gestures, but God cannot be deceived. He sees the heart as it truly is - with its motives, intentions, desires, and choices (Psalm 139:2). There is only one way in which a person's sincerity can be proved, and that is by one's practice. Fine words can never replace good deeds. Our character is revealed in the choices we make, especially when we are tested. Do you cheat on an exam or on your income taxes, especially when it will cost you? Do you lie, or cover-up, when disclosing the truth will cause you injury or embarrassment? A true person is honest and reliable before God, themselves, and their neighbor. Their word can be counted on. What foundation is your life built upon?
"Lord Jesus, you are the sure foundation and source of life
and strength for us. Give me wisdom and strength to live according to your
truth and to reject every false way. May I be a doer of your word and
not a hearer only."
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, LUKE 6:43-49
(1 Timothy 1:15-17; Psalm 113)
(1 Timothy 1:15-17; Psalm 113)
KEY VERSE: "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' but not do what I command?" (v 46).
TO READ: Jesus taught his followers that the quality of their inner lives would be judged by the words they spoke and the deeds they performed. Their hearts were like storehouses of either good or bad fruit. Jesus' disciples would be recognized by the good fruit that they produced in their lives. Jesus also compared the Christian life to building a house. The wise builder laid a firm foundation that could withstand the trials of life. Those who heard Jesus but did not act on his words were building on a shaky foundation. It was hypocritical to call Jesus "Lord" and refuse to obey him. Jesus concluded his "Sermon on the Plain" by telling his followers to put into practice everything he had taught them.
TO REFLECT: Do I regularly inspect my spiritual house through an examination of conscience?
TO RESPOND: Lord Jesus help me to hear and obey you so others can see good fruit in my life.
OPTIONAL MEMORIAL OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
The feast of the Holy Name Mary is a counterpart to the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus (January 3). In 1683, John Sobieski, King of Poland, brought an army to the outskirts of Vienna in Austria to stop the advance of Moslem armies. After the king entrusted himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he and his soldiers thoroughly defeated the enemy. Pope Innocent XI ordered the feast of Mary's Most Holy Name, which had already been honored in some parts of the Christian world, to be celebrated each year by the universal Church as a perpetual memorial of the great blessing of that victory. Mary always points us to Jesus, reminding us of God's infinite goodness. She helps us to open our hearts to God's ways. Honored under the title “Queen of Peace,” Mary encourages us to cooperate with Jesus in building a peace based on justice and respect for the fundamental human rights of all peoples.
This litany is for private devotion to the Holy Name of Mary: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Son of Mary, hear us. Son of Mary, graciously hear us. Heavenly Father, of Whom Mary is the Daughter, have mercy on us. Eternal Word, of Whom Mary is the Mother... Holy Spirit, of Whom Mary is the spouse... Divine Trinity, of Whom Mary is the Handmaid.
Mary, Mother of the Living God, pray for us...Mary, daughter of the Light Eternal...Mary, our light...Mary, our sister...Mary, the beloved of God...Mary, Immaculate Virgin...Mary, house of God...Mary, Virgin Mother...Mary, Star of the Sea...Mary, pierced with a sword of sorrow...Mary, standing by the Cross of Jesus...Mary, Our Lady...Mary, Our Queen...Mary glory of the Church Triumphant...Mary, advocate of the Church Militant...Mary, Queen of Mercy...Mary, consoler of the Church Suffering...Mary, crowned with twelve stars...Mary, fair as the moon...Mary, bright as the sun...Mary, seated at the right hand of Jesus...Mary, our hope...Mary, our sweetness...Mary, glory of Jerusalem...Mary, joy of Israel...Mary, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception...Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption...Mary, Our Lady of Loreto...Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes...Mary, Our Lady of Fatima...Mary, Our Lady of Czestochowa...Mary, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal...Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel...Mary, Our Lady of the Angels...Mary, Our Lady of Dolorosa...Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe...Mary, Our Lady of Mercy...Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary...Mary, Our Lady of Victory...Mary, Our Lady of La Trappe...Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence...Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us. Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord Jesus. Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord Jesus. Son of Mary, hear us. Son of Mary, graciously hear us.
Saturday 12 September 2015
AT 12TH. Holy Name of
Mary. 1 Timothy 1:15-17. Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever—Ps
112(113):1-7. Luke 6:43-49.
'Every tree can be told by
its own fruit.'
Some people exude
compassion. Listening to Rev Tim Costello speaking from villages reduced to
rubble in an earthquake, I am drawn to help in any way I can. His strength,
competence and organizational ability inspire confidence. His integrity and
commitment to the poor has been shown in many situations over the years.
The Independent Commission
Against Corruption (ICAC) in NSW has shown that some people in political office
have misused their power for personal gain. The pattern of their actions stood
in stark contrast to their image.
Jesus, you challenge me to
congruence, so that my words, and actions reveal who I am and the values that
underpin my life. Let me live with you for the Father and reveal, as you did,
the Father’s love and compassion.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
|
Be Still
|
Try to spend a minute being still. Turn off any distracting
noises. Put aside the cares of the day. Imagine His love showering upon you.
Focus on a cross or your favorite picture of Jesus. Be still, and know that He
is God.
September
12
Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary
This feast is a counterpart to the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus
(January 3); both have the possibility of uniting people easily divided on
other matters.
The feast
of the Most Holy Name of Mary began in Spain in 1513 and in 1671 was extended
to all of Spain and the Kingdom of Naples. In 1683, John Sobieski, king of
Poland, brought an army to the outskirts of Vienna to stop the advance of
Muslim armies loyal to Mohammed IV in Constantinople. After Sobieski entrusted
himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he and his soldiers thoroughly defeated the
Muslims. Pope Innocent XI extended this feast to the entire Church.
Comment:
Mary always points us to God, reminding us of God's infinite goodness. She helps us to open our hearts to God's ways, wherever those may lead us. Honored under the title “Queen of Peace,” Mary encourages us to cooperate with Jesus in building a peace based on justice, a peace that respects the fundamental human rights (including religious rights) of all peoples.
Mary always points us to God, reminding us of God's infinite goodness. She helps us to open our hearts to God's ways, wherever those may lead us. Honored under the title “Queen of Peace,” Mary encourages us to cooperate with Jesus in building a peace based on justice, a peace that respects the fundamental human rights (including religious rights) of all peoples.
Quote:
“Lord our God, when your Son was dying on the altar of the cross, he gave us as our mother the one he had chosen to be his own mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary; grant that we who call upon the holy name of Mary, our mother, with confidence in her protection may receive strength and comfort in all our needs” (Marian Sacramentary, Mass for the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary).
“Lord our God, when your Son was dying on the altar of the cross, he gave us as our mother the one he had chosen to be his own mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary; grant that we who call upon the holy name of Mary, our mother, with confidence in her protection may receive strength and comfort in all our needs” (Marian Sacramentary, Mass for the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary).
LECTIO DIVINA:
LUKE 6,43-49
Lectio:
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God our Father,
you redeem us
and make us your children in Christ.
Look upon us,
give us true freedom
and bring us to the inheritance you promised.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
you redeem us
and make us your children in Christ.
Look upon us,
give us true freedom
and bring us to the inheritance you promised.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Luke 6,43-49
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There is no sound tree that
produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces sound fruit. Every
tree can be told by its own fruit: people do not pick figs from thorns, nor
gather grapes from brambles.
Good people draw what is good from the store of goodness in their hearts; bad people draw what is bad from the store of badness. For the words of the mouth flow out of what fills the heart. ‘Why do you call me, “Lord, Lord” and not do what I say?
‘Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and acts on them—I will show you what such a person is like. Such a person is like the man who, when he built a house, dug, and dug deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built. But someone who listens and does nothing is like the man who built a house on soil, with no foundations; as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!’
Good people draw what is good from the store of goodness in their hearts; bad people draw what is bad from the store of badness. For the words of the mouth flow out of what fills the heart. ‘Why do you call me, “Lord, Lord” and not do what I say?
‘Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and acts on them—I will show you what such a person is like. Such a person is like the man who, when he built a house, dug, and dug deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built. But someone who listens and does nothing is like the man who built a house on soil, with no foundations; as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!’
3) Reflection
• In today’s Gospel we have the last part of the Discourse of
the Plains that is, the version which Luke presents in the Sermon on the
Mountain of the Gospel of Matthew. And Luke puts together what follows:
• Luke 6, 43-45: The parable of the tree that bears good fruit. “There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces sound fruit. Every tree can be known by its own fruit: people do not pick figs from thorns, or gather grapes from brambles”. The letter of James the Apostle serves as a comment to this parable of Jesus: “Does any water supply give a flow of fresh water and salt water out of the same pipe? Can a fig tree yield olives, my brothers, or a vine yield figs? No more can sea water yield fresh water” (James 3, 11-12). A person who is well formed in the tradition of living together in community develops within self a good nature which leads him/her to do good. “The good of the treasure of his/her heart is brought out”, but the person who does not pay attention to his/her formation will have difficulty in producing good deeds. Rather, “from his/her evil treasure evil will come out evil, because the mouth speaks of the fullness of the heart”. Concerning the “good treasure of the heart” it is worthwhile to remember what the Book of Ecclesiasticus’ says on the heart, the source of good counsel: “Stick to the advice your own heart gives you, no one can be truer to you than that; since a person’s soul often gives a clearer warning than seven watchmen perched on a watchtower. And besides all this beg the Most High to guide your steps into the truth” (Si 37, 13-15).
• Luke 6, 46: It is not sufficient to say, Lord, Lord. What is important is not to say beautiful things about God, but rather to do the will of the Father and in this way be a revelation of his face and of his presence in the world.
• Luke 6, 47-49: To construct the house on rock. To listen and to put into practice, this is the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mountain. Many people sought security and religious power in the extraordinary heads (gifts) or in the observance. But true security does not come from power; it does not come from any of those things. It comes from God! And God becomes the source of security, when we seek to do his will. And in this way he will be the rock which will support us, in the difficult hours and in the storms.
God is the rock of our life. In the Book of Psalms, we frequently find the expression: “God is my rock, my fortress... My God, my Rock, my refuge, my shield, the force which saves me...” (Ps 18, 3). He is the defence and the force of those who believe in him and who seek justice (Ps 18, 21-24). The persons, who trust in this God, become, in turn, a rock for others. Thus the prophet Isaiah invites the people who were in exile: “Listen to me, you who pursue saving justice, you who seek Yahweh. Consider the rock from which you were hewn, the quarry from which you were dug. Consider Abraham your father and Sarah who gave you birth” (Is 51, 1-2). The prophet asks the people not to forget the past and to remember Abraham and Sarah who because of their faith in God became a rock, the beginning of the People of God. Looking toward this rock, the people should draw courage to fight and get out of the exile. And thus Matthew exhorts the communities to have as an incentive or encouragement this same rock (Mt 7, 24-25) and in this way be themselves rocks to strengthen their brothers in the faith. This is also the significance which Jesus gives to Peter: “You are Peter and on this Rock I will build my Church” (Mt 16, 18). This is the vocation of the first communities called to unite themselves to Jesus, the living Rock, so as to become themselves living rocks, listening and putting into practice the Word (P 2, 4-10; 2, 5; Ep 2,19-22).
• Luke 6, 43-45: The parable of the tree that bears good fruit. “There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces sound fruit. Every tree can be known by its own fruit: people do not pick figs from thorns, or gather grapes from brambles”. The letter of James the Apostle serves as a comment to this parable of Jesus: “Does any water supply give a flow of fresh water and salt water out of the same pipe? Can a fig tree yield olives, my brothers, or a vine yield figs? No more can sea water yield fresh water” (James 3, 11-12). A person who is well formed in the tradition of living together in community develops within self a good nature which leads him/her to do good. “The good of the treasure of his/her heart is brought out”, but the person who does not pay attention to his/her formation will have difficulty in producing good deeds. Rather, “from his/her evil treasure evil will come out evil, because the mouth speaks of the fullness of the heart”. Concerning the “good treasure of the heart” it is worthwhile to remember what the Book of Ecclesiasticus’ says on the heart, the source of good counsel: “Stick to the advice your own heart gives you, no one can be truer to you than that; since a person’s soul often gives a clearer warning than seven watchmen perched on a watchtower. And besides all this beg the Most High to guide your steps into the truth” (Si 37, 13-15).
• Luke 6, 46: It is not sufficient to say, Lord, Lord. What is important is not to say beautiful things about God, but rather to do the will of the Father and in this way be a revelation of his face and of his presence in the world.
• Luke 6, 47-49: To construct the house on rock. To listen and to put into practice, this is the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mountain. Many people sought security and religious power in the extraordinary heads (gifts) or in the observance. But true security does not come from power; it does not come from any of those things. It comes from God! And God becomes the source of security, when we seek to do his will. And in this way he will be the rock which will support us, in the difficult hours and in the storms.
God is the rock of our life. In the Book of Psalms, we frequently find the expression: “God is my rock, my fortress... My God, my Rock, my refuge, my shield, the force which saves me...” (Ps 18, 3). He is the defence and the force of those who believe in him and who seek justice (Ps 18, 21-24). The persons, who trust in this God, become, in turn, a rock for others. Thus the prophet Isaiah invites the people who were in exile: “Listen to me, you who pursue saving justice, you who seek Yahweh. Consider the rock from which you were hewn, the quarry from which you were dug. Consider Abraham your father and Sarah who gave you birth” (Is 51, 1-2). The prophet asks the people not to forget the past and to remember Abraham and Sarah who because of their faith in God became a rock, the beginning of the People of God. Looking toward this rock, the people should draw courage to fight and get out of the exile. And thus Matthew exhorts the communities to have as an incentive or encouragement this same rock (Mt 7, 24-25) and in this way be themselves rocks to strengthen their brothers in the faith. This is also the significance which Jesus gives to Peter: “You are Peter and on this Rock I will build my Church” (Mt 16, 18). This is the vocation of the first communities called to unite themselves to Jesus, the living Rock, so as to become themselves living rocks, listening and putting into practice the Word (P 2, 4-10; 2, 5; Ep 2,19-22).
4) Personal questions
• Which is the quality of my heart?
• Is my house built on rock?
• Is my house built on rock?
5) Concluding Prayer
Lord, you created my inmost self,
knit me together in my mother’s womb.
For so many marvels I thank you; a wonder am I,
and all your works are wonders. (Ps 139,13-14)
knit me together in my mother’s womb.
For so many marvels I thank you; a wonder am I,
and all your works are wonders. (Ps 139,13-14)
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