Saturday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
Built On Rock
Liturgical Cycle: A | Lectionary Cycle: II
Introduction
Year II. Though Christians can eat the meat that had been used in pagan offerings, they can never take part in the sacred meals of sacrifices offered to idols, for that would be tantamount to communion with the false god. They should remember that the Christian sacrifice signifies that they are in union with Christ, who makes us one when we eat his body and drink the cup of his sacrifice.
Gospel. Luke makes two main points today. Christians will be recognised 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 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.
Opening Prayer
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
Idolatrous Meals and Christian Freedom
Therefore, dear friends, avoid worshiping idols.
I speak to you as intelligent people; judge what I say.
Is the cup of blessing that we bless not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?
Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all share that one bread.
Consider the Israelites. For them, eating the sacrifice means entering into communion with its altar.
What does all this mean? Is it that the meat is truly dedicated to the idol, or that the idol is a being?
However, when pagans make offerings, those sacrifices are made to demons, not to God. I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.
You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons at the same time. You cannot partake of the Lord’s table and the table of demons.
Or are we provoking the Lord to jealous anger? Are we stronger than he is?
Responsorial Psalm
R. (17) To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Each tree is recognized by its fruit: you can’t gather figs from thorn bushes or grapes from brambles.
Similarly, a good person brings forth good things from the good stored in his heart, while an evil person brings forth evil things from the evil stored in his heart, for the mouth speaks from what fills the heart.
I will show you what the one is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them.
That person is like a builder who digs deep and lays the foundation of his house on the rock. When the river overflows and the stream crashes against the house, it cannot be carried off because the house is 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!”
Prayers of the Faithful
– 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:
Prayer over the Gifts
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.
Prayer after Communion
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.
Blessing
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.
REFLECTIONS
Luke 6:43-49
Deep Roots, Enduring Faith
Today’s Gospel offers us two illustrations: a tree recognised by its fruit and a house tested by floodwaters. These stories remind us that genuine discipleship runs deep, not just on the surface. Our words, choices, and reactions show what has been growing inside us, while life’s storms reveal the strength of our foundation.
If resentment, harshness, and dishonesty have become part of us, polishing our behaviour is not enough; the roots need healing. Jesus asks a question: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” Faith is more than just admiration for Christ; it's about living through obedience. When we dig deep to find the solid rock, we're letting His teachings guide how we handle our money, navigate relationships, deal with enemies, and make decisions.
Storms will come, and with them challenges like illness, failure, and grief knocking on our doors. The key isn’t that believers dodge these storms, but that those anchored in Christ can withstand them without losing their love, gratitude, or hope. With mature faith, we can transform suffering into something meaningful rather than letting bitterness take hold.
Today offers us a lovely opportunity to reflect on our core values and the foundation of our faith. Think about what our words say about the treasures we carry inside. Are there teachings we've been waiting to put into practice? Let’s pray for the Spirit to help deepen our roots, cleanse our hearts, and give us the courage to take action. When Christ is the solid rock beneath our feet, our lives will naturally stand firm through every storm.