Ordinary Weekday/ Optional Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary/ Holy Name of Mary
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 116: 12-13, 17-18
Alleluia: John 14: 23
Gospel: Luke 6: 43-49
First Reading: First Corinthians 10: 14-22
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, fly from the service of idols.
15 I speak as to wise men: judge ye yourselves what I say.
16 The chalice of benediction, which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? And the bread, which we break, is it not the partaking of the body of the Lord?
17 For we, being many, are one bread, one body, all that partake of one bread.
18 Behold Israel according to the flesh: are not they, that eat of the sacrifices, partakers of the altar?
19 What then? Do I say, that what is offered in sacrifice to idols, is any thing? Or, that the idol is any thing?
20 But the things which the heathens sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God. And I would not that you should be made partakers with devils.
21 You cannot drink the chalice of the Lord, and the chalice of devils: you cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of devils.
22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 116: 12-13, 17-18
R. (17) To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
12 What shall I render to the Lord, for all the things he hath rendered unto me?
13 I will take the chalice of salvation; and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
17 I will sacrifice to thee the sacrifice of praise, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
18 I will pay my vows to the Lord in the sight of all his people:
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
Alleluia: John 14: 23
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
23 Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 6: 43-49
43 For there is no good tree that bringeth forth evil fruit; nor an evil tree that bringeth forth good fruit.
44 For every tree is known by its fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns; nor from a bramble bush do they gather the grape.
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
46 And why call you me, Lord, Lord; and do not the things which I say?
47 Every one that cometh to me, and heareth my words, and doth them, I will shew you to whom he is like.
48 He is like to a man building a house, who digged deep, and laid the foundation upon a rock. And when a flood came, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and it could not shake it; for it was founded on a rock.
49 But he that heareth, and doth not, is like to a man building his house upon the earth without a foundation: against which the stream beat vehemently, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.
Reflection
The readings place a serious question before us: What table shapes our life? In the Eucharist, the cup and broken bread unite us to the blood and body of Christ, making many believers one body. This communion is not a passing religious gesture. It claims our allegiance. Saint Paul warns that we cannot share the Lord’s table while giving ourselves to what turns our hearts away from God.
Jesus shows how this allegiance becomes visible. A good tree is recognized by its fruit, and a disciple is recognized by doing what the Lord says. Hearing Christ’s words without putting them into practice leaves our lives without a foundation. The rock is a life built through faithful obedience, especially when the flood comes and every shallow support is tested. The psalm teaches us how to respond: receive God’s saving cup with gratitude and offer him a sacrifice of praise. Our worship becomes authentic when it reaches our choices, our speech, and our treatment of others. Each day, we can ask which desires are nourishing the heart and whether our actions truly bear the fruit of belonging to Christ.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you give yourself to us in the bread and the cup, gathering us into one body. Purify my heart from every allegiance that competes with you. Teach me to love your word with a faithful and obedient life, so that my speech and actions may bear good fruit. When trials come and familiar supports fail, keep me rooted in you, the firm foundation. Receive my gratitude as a sacrifice of praise, and help me live in a way that honors the communion I receive. May your grace make my life a trustworthy witness to your presence. Amen.
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