Gospel for the Optional Memorial of Saint Ephrem, Deacon and Doctor of the Church

Luke 6:43-45

Summary: Jesus said that people are known by what they produce. Good comes from a good heart, and evil comes from an evil heart. What is in the heart shapes what is spoken.

Gospel Acclamation: I am the vine, you are the branches, says the Lord: whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit. (John 15:5)

Known by Their Fruit

Jesus said to his disciples: “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles.

A good person, out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil, for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.”

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