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!”

Reflect

Facing our own failures is never easy. We’d all love to believe the very best of ourselves,
but the truth of the matter is that we all fall short. We want to be faithful and do what is
right, but our weakness and selfishness get in the way and we make poor choices, sinning
against God and hurting each other.

But in God’s goodness, we can be forgiven. As Paul teaches, Christ became human
precisely so that he could destroy the power of sin and death. Through God’s grace,
we can overcome sin and live a life that will bear the good fruit that God wills. God’s
forgiveness and mercy are always available to us. God always takes the first step; we
need only respond to his loving invitation. The first step is admitting that we have
sinned and that our sins separate us from God and each other. Feeling sorry for our
sins, we confess them and do penance for them. Finally, we beg God’s grace to
strengthen our efforts to avoid sin in the future. Let us give thanks to the Lord, for his
mercy endures forever.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2023