October 23, 2021 Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time-B

Romans 8:1-11

Psalm 24

Luke 13:1-9

…his Spirit that dwells in you.  Rom. 8:11

“…it may bear fruit in the future.”  Lk. 13:9

Lord, I have learned that just planting a fruit tree does not guarantee it will bear fruit. I must cultivate, fertilize, prune and water the young tree so it can grow and one day bring forth abundant fruit. Neglect often results in no fruit at all or a dead tree. You sent you Holy Spirit into our world as our spiritual gardener to ensure we have all we need to grow, flourish and bear the fruit you created us to bear. Your death on the cross has freed me from the law of sin and death. Now I can grow in faith, hope and love because of the Spirit within me. I can resist temptation and repent of the times I didn’t. Lord, continue to show me the path to right living. Through daily prayer, taking advantage of the Sacraments of your Church and being fed by your word each day, I can grow and flourish and produce the fruit that pleases you.  Lord Jesus, cultivate the ground of my heart so I can love you and others more fully. I will follow you wherever you lead me.  Amen.