Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

Daily Mass Readings for Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years.

• First Reading (Cycle 1) - Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18: God promises Abram immense rewards, but Abram laments his childlessness. God assures him his own offspring will inherit and likens his descendants to uncountable stars. In a trance, God confirms His covenant, promising vast lands.
• First Reading (Cycle 2) - 2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3: In the Lord's temple, the lost book of law was found and read aloud. The king, deeply moved, ordered consultation with God. The rediscovered covenant was embraced by all, renewing commitment to God's decrees.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 105: Express gratitude to the Lord, share His deeds worldwide. Sing praises, rejoice, and constantly serve Him. As descendants of Abraham and Jacob, we remember His enduring covenant, valid across generations.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 119: O Lord, educate me in your statutes and laws. Give me discernment and delight in your commands. Direct my heart towards righteousness, not material gain. In your justice, breathe life into me.
• Gospel - Matthew 7:15-20: Jesus warns his disciples to be cautious of false prophets who come disguised as sheep but inwardly are ravenous wolves. He advises them to evaluate these prophets by their fruits, as a good tree bears good fruit, while a bad tree bears bad fruit. Through discernment, true prophets can be distinguished by their actions and the outcomes of their teachings.

Themes for the Daily Mass Readings for Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

• False Prophets: Jesus warns about the presence of false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves, highlighting the need for discernment and caution in evaluating spiritual leaders and their teachings.
• Fruit as a Test: Jesus instructs His disciples to evaluate false prophets based on the fruit they bear. A good tree produces good fruit, while a bad tree produces bad fruit, serving as a means to discern true from false prophets.
• Discernment and Wisdom: Jesus emphasizes the importance of discernment and wisdom in identifying false prophets, highlighting the need to evaluate their character, teachings, and the impact of their ministry.
• Genuine vs. Deceptive Appearance: Jesus contrasts the outward appearance of false prophets (sheep's clothing) with their true nature (ravenous wolves), cautioning against being deceived by superficial appearances and emphasizing the need to look beyond the surface.
• Fruitfulness as Evidence: Jesus teaches that a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit, emphasizing that the quality of fruit produced is evidence of the true nature of the tree or individual.
• Judgment by their Fruits: Jesus concludes by stating that false prophets will be known by their fruits, indicating that their true character and teachings will eventually become evident through their actions and impact.

Thoughts for Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

In the gospel for Wednesday of the 12th week in Ordinary Time, Jesus warns his followers to be cautious of false prophets who disguise themselves as harmless sheep but inwardly harbor deceitful motives and intentions. He advises his listeners to discern the true nature of these individuals by examining the fruit they produce.

Jesus employs a metaphor of trees and fruits to convey his message. He emphasizes that just as a healthy tree bears good fruit and an unhealthy tree bears bad fruit, false prophets reveal themselves through the results of their actions and teachings. Goodness and righteousness are manifested through their words, actions, and the impact they have on others.

By highlighting the importance of discerning the fruits, Jesus calls his disciples to exercise wisdom and discernment in their spiritual journeys. He urges them to look beyond superficial appearances and evaluate the character and teachings of those who claim to be spiritual leaders. Genuine spiritual leaders, marked by their integrity and alignment with God's truth, will bear good fruit that brings about positive change and promotes spiritual growth.

As we reflect on this passage, let us heed Jesus' warning to be vigilant and discerning in our encounters with spiritual leaders and teachers. May we cultivate a spirit of discernment, carefully evaluating the character and teachings of those who seek to guide us spiritually. Let us focus on the fruits they produce—whether they align with the values of love, truth, righteousness, and the teachings of Jesus.

Furthermore, let us also reflect on our own lives and the fruits we bear. Are we consistently producing good fruit, displaying the character of Christ in our words and actions? May we strive to be trees that bear good fruit, bringing glory to God and positively impacting the lives of those around us.

Prayer for Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

Heavenly Father, help us to recognize false prophets and grant us the ability to discern their fruits, their words, and their actions, so that we may not be led astray. Help us to bear good fruit in our own lives, rooted in your teachings and guided by the Holy Spirit, that we may bring glory to your name and be a blessing to others. Amen.