SATURDAY, TWENTY THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom
1 Tm 1: 15-17 Ps 113: 1-7 Lk 6: 43-49
CULTIVATING VIRTUE FROM THE ROOT
Jesus says in today’s Gospel: ‘A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree is known by its own fruit.’ Jesus uses this image of the tree to teach that a person’s actions – whether good or bad – reflect what is in their heart. As Charles Read once 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.’ Just like a fruit, character does not appear instantly. It grows over time. Jesus teaches that good fruit comes from a healthy and sound life – one that follows moral values and has integrity. If our lives show love, faith, patience, and honesty, it means we are living rightly. But if we show anger, envy, selfishness, or laziness, then something inside us may be spiritually unwell. The words we speak can reveal what is in our hearts. So, we should always try to choose our words from the goodness we store within.
Jesus also tells a parable about building on the right foundation. This connects to His message about sound living. The foundation we build our lives on, will determine how we handle life’s difficulties. The only way to prove our sincerity is by putting our faith into action. Words alone are not enough; actions speak louder. Faith must be active – it calls us to respond. And this response would mean that we nurture and grow in the virtues that are expected of us as Catholics, and reject all vices that keep us away from God’s love!
Thus, if we produce good fruits, let us rejoice! But if we notice bad fruits in our lives, let us turn to God and ask for a change of heart – a metanoia. We need to be transformed from within. This means reaching out to healing through confession and working hard to build a virtuous life.
True people are honest and trustworthy before God, themselves, and others. Their words and actions go hand in hand. So, let us ask ourselves: What kind of foundation is my life built upon?
Response: May the name of the Lord be blest for evermore.
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