Daily Gospel Reflection for June 25, 2025

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today, Jesus paints for us the reasons we need to be discerning about what is in front of us. We need to be attentive to how we behave and how our actions can impact others.

While all of the imagery calling our attention to deceptive appearances, whether something is bad or good at its core, or the fruit produced is good, it’s the grapes in the thorns and the figs in the thistles that get me the most.

I am an introvert, so I tend to be on the dry side. Direct, short-spoken, possibly appearing aloof at times. I sometimes forego the small talk to get on with my day. I know; it’s terrible! I’m working on it.

Any time I hear this passage, I am reminded that Jesus needs me to be a little softer. That my interaction with someone for that day could make the difference in whether they are able to grab the fruit He might be offering them.

Jesus shows me so perfectly how my self-preservation tendencies could impact what someone takes away from the conversation–fruit picked thorn-free, fruit overshadowed by a scratched and bleeding hand, or fruit not picked at all.

Do I really want to be a barricade to His fruit? Of course not. Similarly, we don’t want to be the rotted tree; we want to be the good tree, bearing good fruit, growing, thriving, and serving others.

Jesus makes it clear what we are called to be and that it will be by our fruits that we are judged, not simply by how “healthy” we are personally:

“So by their fruits you will know them.” Matthew 7:20

Ponder:

Where can I cultivate more good fruit in my life and ensure thorns and thistles are not interfering?

Pray:

Lord, I want to serve You fruitfully throughout my life. Please help me to recognize the good and bad in my life so that I can cultivate the good and cut down the bad.

CM DGR daily sq