A heart filled with Goodness Bears good fruits
Listening the Spirit
Lord, thank you for the gift of Your Word
so that all your people may know and love You more
and understand You better.
As I go about my day may I not forget
the scriptures you have opened up for me.
Help me to recognize how You want for me
to apply Your Word to my daily life.
Holy Spirit, guided by Your Word,
may You enlighten my mind
and enkindle in my heart
a greater love for You and for others
in my family and in the world.
Listening the Word: Luke 6:39-45
Jesus told his disciples a parable,
“Can a blind person guide a blind person?
Will not both fall into a pit?
No disciple is superior to the teacher;
but when fully trained,
every disciple will be like his teacher.
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye,
but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?
How can you say to your brother,
‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’
when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye?
You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first;
then you will see clearly
to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.
“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.”
Reflection
On this 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are invited to reflect on a profound truth: a heart filled with goodness naturally produces good fruits. Each of us can recognize God’s goodness in our lives—especially when we see how He continues to work in us, even amid many challenges. His wonders are not only things of the past but also present realities and future promises.
Today’s Gospel presents a parable where Jesus asks His disciples: “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?” How often do we find it easier to criticize others rather than acknowledging their goodness? We may even fail to recognize that we are not always the right persons to correct others. We tend to demand change from others without first examining our own hearts and how far we are from God.
Today, let us pause and appreciate the goodness we encounter around us—the countless ways God has blessed us. Let us also ask ourselves: How much effort do we invest in caring for our own hearts? The first reading from Sirach reminds us: “The fruit of a tree shows the care it has had.” Likewise, our words and actions reveal the state of our hearts.
As children of God, we are created good, and our hearts are meant to contain goodness. Yet, God grants us freedom—He does not force goodness upon us. Some neglect to nurture their hearts, and fail to embrace and share God’s goodness with others. This is why the world still experiences war, division, and corruption—because too often, people prioritize personal ambitions over the well-being of others.
Today, let us lift our voices with the psalmist and proclaim: “It is good to give thanks to You, O Lord!” Let us not forget to take care of our hearts so that our hearts may be full of good words and actions towards ourselves and towards other people.
Reflection Questions
1. How often do I take time to recognize and nurture the goodness in my own heart before focusing on the faults of others?
2. In what concrete ways can I bear good fruits in my daily life, showing God’s love through my words and actions?
