Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

• 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.

Lectionary Reference: 373

Upcoming dates: June 25, 2025, June 23, 2027, June 27, 2029, June 25, 2031, June 22, 2033

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.

The readings for Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 invite us to reflect on trust, discernment, and patience. In Genesis, Abram learns to trust God’s promises even when the future is unclear. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us to look at the fruits of actions. Together, these readings remind us how God calls us to live with faith and wisdom.

Trusting God in Times of Worry

In the first reading from Genesis, Abram is worried about his future. He has no children and wonders who will inherit what he has. God speaks to him, telling him not to be afraid. He promises Abram that he will have descendants as numerous as the stars. Abram believes God’s promise, and God counts his faith as righteousness.

Abram’s worry is understandable. Life can feel uncertain, and it is hard to trust when the future seems unclear. Like Abram, we may struggle with fear or doubt. But God invites us to trust Him, even when we don’t have all the answers. He is faithful and keeps His promises.

This passage reminds us that faith means trusting God even when we cannot see the whole picture. Abram’s story shows us that God’s plan is bigger than our worries. On Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we can reflect on how Abram’s faith speaks to our own lives. What worries can we bring to God, trusting Him to lead us?

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

In the Gospel for Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus warns about false prophets. He says we will know them by their fruits. A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. Jesus tells us to look at actions, not just words, to know if someone is truly following God.

This teaching reminds us to be careful and discerning. Not everyone who seems good is doing God’s will. We must watch for the fruits of kindness, love, and honesty in others. This is how we can tell if their hearts are truly focused on God.

It also challenges us to look at our own lives. Are we producing good fruit? Do our actions match what we say we believe? Jesus calls us to live in a way that shows our faith through our deeds. Reflecting on this Gospel helps us think about how we can grow in faith and show it in our daily lives.

God’s Plan Grows Over Time

Both the first reading and the Gospel point to the idea that God’s work takes time to grow and bear fruit. In Genesis, Abram has to wait for God’s promise to come true. He does not see the fulfillment immediately, but he trusts and believes. In the Gospel, Jesus uses the image of fruit to show how good works take time to develop and be seen.

Sometimes it is hard to wait for God’s plan to unfold. We might feel like Abram, wondering if His promises will come true. Or we might struggle with patience, wanting to see results right away. These readings remind us that God’s timing is not the same as ours.

Fruit doesn’t grow overnight. Trees take time to bear good fruit, and faith takes time to grow in our hearts. On Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are reminded to trust God’s plan and to be patient. Our faith and good works will bear fruit if we stay close to Him and keep walking in His ways.

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God’s word challenges us to grow in trust and to align our actions with His will. Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourages us to reflect on the ways we can bear good fruit and patiently trust God’s plan for our lives. May these reflections inspire us to live faithfully every day.

Prayer

Lord, help us to trust You as Abram did, even when the future is uncertain. Teach us to discern good fruit and to live in a way that reflects Your love. Give us patience to wait for Your promises and strength to follow You faithfully each day. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I grow in trust when I feel worried about the future?
• What fruits are my actions producing in my life and in others?
• How can I be more discerning about the influences in my life?
• What is one way I can grow in patience as I wait for God’s plan to unfold?

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.