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 his heart, and an evil person draws evil things from the evil stored in his heart. For the mouth speaks from the fullness of the heart.

Lectio Divina
READ: We reveal ourselves in the way we speak of others. Jesus says the same: that our words and actions reflect what is in our hearts, whether good or bad. Before judging others we must look to our- selves. And as St. Paul says, we must “improve constantly, in the work of the Lord.”
REFLECT: It is an old saying that a tree is judged by its fruits. Someone may present a virtuous appearance. But how do they speak of others? How do they treat others? Our outward deeds reveal our inward condition. Whether we do good or bad, we draw on what is stored in our hearts. Yet we are quick to  focus on what others do and say without examining ourselves. Perhaps it is our own sins and weaknesses that enable us see others’ failings with such accuracy!
PRAY: Lord, make clean our hearts, so that our words and deeds may glorify you.
ACT: Think of the person you like the least. What are the qualities you dislike? Then consider whether you have ever exhibited these same qualities.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019