Bible Reflections I 11.09.2021 - Saturday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 23

Readings 

            I - Tim. 1: 15-17

           II - Lk. 6: 43-49

                    

A GOOD TREE YIELDS GOOD FRUIT

A grandfather was teaching his grandson about life.  He said, “A terrible fight between two wolves is going on inside me.  One is evil and the other is good.  The evil is: anger, jealousy, hatred, greed, arrogance, resentment, ego and pride.  The good is: love, peace, joy, compassion, mercy, faith, hope, empathy, kindness, humility, forgiveness and benevolence.  The same fight is going on inside you and every other person as well”.  The grandson thought for a while and asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?” The grandfather replied, “The one you feed”.  In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says that a good tree bears good fruit and the bad tree bad fruit.  People do no pick figs from thorns nor gather grapes from brambles.  A man’s words flow words flow out of what fills his heart.   

Jesus exhorts his followers not to be mere hearers of his word but doers of the same.  A person captivated by God’s words cannot but obey his words and stand by them at all times.  Spikenard when crushed fills the ambient and the hand that crushes with its pleasant aroma.  So too are the doers of the word of God.  They prove their faith more fervently at the testing times as did Job in the Bible.  These are the people who build their house on the rock that stands firm even with the flood.  These are the good trees that yield good fruits, in season and out of season.  These are the people who feed their soul constantly with the word of God and reap it in good deeds proving their authenticity.  In this light let us examine our life whether we are mere hearers of the word or doers of the word as well yielding good fruit glorifying the Lord. May our mind and heart resonate with this prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the courage to stand by your word”.