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1 Tim 1:15-17
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.
Ps 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.
Lk 6:43-49
Jesus said to the crowd, "No healthy tree bears bad fruit, no poor tree bears good fruit. And each tree is known by the fruit it bears: you don't gather figs from thorns, or grapes from brambles. Similarly the good person draws good things from the good stored in the heart, and an evil person draws evil things from the evil stored in the heart. For the mouth speaks from the fullness of the heart.
Why do you call me: 'Lord! Lord!' and not do what I say? I will show you what the one who comes to me and listens to my words and acts accordingly, is like. That one is like the builder who dug deep and laid the foundations of his house on rock. The river overflowed and the stream dashed against the house, but could not carry it off because the house had been well built.
But the one who listens and does not act, is like a man who built his house on the ground without a foundation. The flood burst against it, and the house fell at once: and what a terrible disaster that was!"
Lord our God,
let the word of your Son sink into our hearts
so deeply and so firmly
that all of our life is marked by it.
Let no trial or doubt or fad or fear
be powerful enough to shake that faith;
for in you we trust
and on you we rely
on account of him who is the living proof
that you love us and want us to be happy,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
First Reading Introduction
Christ came to call sinners, and of this fact Paul himself is the perfect example. Persecutor as he had been, God in his patience showed mercy to Paul, who had been a persecutor of Christians.
Gospel Introduction
Luke makes two main points today. Christians will be recognized for what they are worth by their Christian living. The faith that is in their hearts overflows in their deeds. God's word has sunk in into their hearts and only goodness in accordance with the gospel will have to come from them. In such people faith is solid; it is built on rock, it does not waver. The rains and the storm of trials cannot blow that faith apart.
- That we may not just hear and know the word of God but live by it consistently and enthusiastically, we pray:
- That the Lord may be our rock in whom we put our trust and on whom we build our lives, we pray:
- That our friendships may be firm and reliable, we pray:
Lord our God,
you offer us the bread and the cup
of your Son Jesus Christ.
We are eager to share his food
that unites us, in all our diversity,
in one community of service and love.
We are also willing to drink his cup,
even when it is at times a cup of suffering.
Accept our offering
on account of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lord God, our Father,
your Son has been here with us
and this is enough for us
to keep our faith and hope alive
and make it as solid as rock.
Let this faith bring forth
fruits of goodness that come from the heart:
compassion with those who grieve,
justice, kindness and service.
Keep us all in your love
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Scripture often calls God our Rock. Our faith becomes rock-solid when it is built on him and also when it shows what we are in what we do. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
