Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: September 13, 2025

Date: Saturday of the 23^rd Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:  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 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 housebut 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."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today recounts Jesus’ lesson to us about the fruits of our lives and the fruits of living according to the LORD’s commands of love.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

What fruit am I producing? Have I listened to the LORD? Am I acting on Christ’s teaching? Is my foundation sound?

Praying:

LORD, You created us for loving relationship with You and with one another, with our sisters and brothers. You gift us and grace us so that our lives might bring your love to others and love and glory to You. Through the power of the Spirit, grant that we may grow into the ones you created us to be and the disciples You call us to be. May our lives be fruitful. Grant, also, LORD, that we will work to build our lives on our faith in you and on our hopes in your promises, and that love for You and love for others will be our enduring foundation. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.