Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1

• First Reading – 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.
• Responsorial Psalm – 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.
• Gospel – Matthew 7:15-20: Jesus warned about false prophets, saying you will recognize them by their actions, just as a tree is known by its fruit. Good trees bear good fruit; bad trees bear bad fruit.

Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit.

Matthew 7:16-17

On Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings focus on God’s promises and the need to recognize true goodness. God reassures Abram about his descendants and makes a covenant with him. Jesus teaches about recognizing false prophets by their actions.

• God’s Promises: God promises Abram that he will have many descendants and inherit vast lands. This shows God’s faithfulness and commitment to His people.
• Faith and Trust: Abram expresses his concern about not having a child. God reassures him, asking for his trust and faith in God’s plan.
• God’s Covenant: God makes a covenant with Abram, promising him land and descendants. This highlights the importance of God’s lasting promises.
• Recognizing False Prophets: Jesus warns about false prophets and teaches that actions reveal true character. He emphasizes the need for discernment and awareness.
• Good and Bad Fruits: Jesus compares people to trees, saying good trees bear good fruit and bad trees bear bad fruit. This analogy shows the importance of good actions reflecting a good heart.

In the readings for Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we see themes of trust in God’s promises and the importance of true goodness. God reassures Abram of His covenant, and Jesus teaches us to recognize genuine goodness by observing actions.

On the Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we reflect on the story of Abram. God promises Abram that he will have many descendants. Despite Abram’s concerns about being childless, God assures him that his own offspring will inherit the land.

Abram’s worry is understandable. He has no children and is getting older. But God asks him to trust and believe in His promise. This reminds us to trust in God’s plans, even when we have doubts.

God’s promise to Abram is a covenant. A covenant is a strong and lasting promise. God shows Abram the stars and says his descendants will be as numerous as the stars. This is a powerful image of hope and faith.

Recognizing True Goodness

In the Gospel reading for the Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus warns us about false prophets. He tells us that we can recognize them by their actions. Just as a tree is known by its fruit, people are known by their deeds.

Jesus’ words remind us to be careful and discerning. We must look at actions, not just words. A good person will do good things, just like a good tree produces good fruit.

This teaching helps us see the importance of living a good life. It is not enough to say we follow Jesus; we must show it through our actions. Our deeds should reflect our faith.

Living Our Faith

On the Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we see two important lessons. First, we must trust in God’s promises like Abram. Second, we must live out our faith through our actions.

By doing good deeds, we show our true character. We reflect God’s love in the world. Let us remember these lessons as we go about our daily lives, trusting in God and doing good.

Prayer

Dear Lord, help us to trust in Your promises. Give us the strength to live out our faith through our actions. Guide us to be good trees that bear good fruit. Amen.

Word on Fire: The Fruits of the Holy Spirit

In today’s reflection for Wednesday of the 12th week in Ordinary Time by Bishop Robert Barron, he emphasizes that Jesus teaches us to recognize a tree by its fruits. Bishop Barron then explores Paul’s description of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, and self-control, highlighting how these qualities reveal the Spirit’s presence in our lives. These virtues signify an outward-looking and expansive soul, contrasting with the limited soul of a sinner, and their presence indicates the awakening and sustenance of the Spirit within us.

What date is Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Wednesday June 25, 2025.

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. For even numbered years see Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Wednesday June 25, 2025 are:
First Reading – Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18: God’s Promise to Abram
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 105: Praise and Remembrance
Gospel – Matthew 7:15-20: Recognizing False Prophets by Their Fruits

What is the main message of the first reading for Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The main message is about God’s promise to Abram. God promises Abram many descendants and a vast land, even though Abram is worried about not having a child.

Why was Abram worried?

Abram was worried because he had no children. He thought he would not have any descendants to inherit God’s promises.

How does God reassure Abram?

God reassures Abram by showing him the stars. He tells Abram that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars.

What is a covenant?

A covenant is a strong and lasting promise. In the reading, God makes a covenant with Abram, promising him descendants and land.

What lesson can we learn from Abram’s story?

We learn to trust in God even when we have doubts. God has a plan for us, and we should have faith in His promises.

What does Jesus warn about in the Gospel reading?

In the Gospel reading for the Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus warns about false prophets. He says we can recognize them by their actions.

How can we recognize false prophets?

We can recognize false prophets by their actions. Just like a tree is known by its fruit, people are known by their deeds.

What does Jesus mean by “good fruit” and “bad fruit”?

“Good fruit” means good actions that reflect a good heart. “Bad fruit” means bad actions that show a bad heart.

How can we apply these readings to our lives?

We can apply these readings by trusting in God’s promises and living out our faith through good actions. Our deeds should show that we follow Jesus.

Why is it important to look at actions and not just words?

It is important because actions reveal true character. Words can be misleading, but actions show what a person is really like.