Are You A Good Tree Or Rotten Tree – Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“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.”

Lk 6:45

This week Jesus teaches that we should be pure of heart to be like the goof tree that bears good fruit. How do we purify our hearts if we are sinners? We are called to live the golden rule that Jesus taught us two weeks ago. We will fail from time to time. Even the saints sinned. “…The just fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble from only one mishap,” Proverbs 24:16. We have the most beautiful way to get forgiveness for our transgressions, the sacrament of reconciliation. As we enter Lent, one of the seven precepts of the catholic church is to confess once a year. I, for one, feel cleaned and strengthened after making my Confession. Purify your heart and live the golden rule. Be the good tree because by living these vultures, you are a better human being and better honor God.