Rooted in Faith: A Transformative Lenten Journey

 

Summary

As we journey through the teachings of Jesus, particularly focusing on the Sermon on the Plain, we are reminded of the profound call to introspection and transformation. Jesus speaks directly to His disciples, urging them to reflect on their spiritual foundation. The imagery of trees and fruit serves as a powerful metaphor for our spiritual lives. Just as a tree is known by the fruit it bears, so too are we known by the actions and words that flow from our hearts. This is a timely reflection as we approach the season of Lent, a period dedicated to spiritual renewal and preparation for Easter.

The question we must ask ourselves is, "Where am I planted?" Are we rooted in the transient pleasures and comforts of the world, or are we deeply planted in the rich soil of faith, nourished by the sacraments, prayer, and the teachings of the Church? Our ability to bear good fruit is contingent upon our spiritual foundation. It is only through Jesus that we can truly bear fruit that is good and lasting. He is the one who can transform us, making all things new within us.

Lent is not merely a time for self-improvement or a test of endurance. It is a sacred journey of following Jesus to the cross, embracing the call to die to ourselves so that we may rise anew with Him. This requires humility, courage, and a willingness to confront the areas in our lives that need change. It is about cooperating with God's grace, allowing Him to uproot what is evil within us and plant seeds of goodness that will flourish.

As we prepare for Lent, let us pray for the grace to see clearly where we need transformation. Let us ask the Lord to make us new, to help us bear fruit that will not wither but will remain. In doing so, we align ourselves more closely with Jesus, allowing His presence to dwell within us and guide us on our spiritual journey.

Key Takeaways:

1. Spiritual Foundation: Our spiritual lives are akin to trees; the fruit we bear reflects the foundation upon which we are planted. Being rooted in the world leads to transient and unsatisfying outcomes, while being planted in faith, prayer, and the sacraments allows us to bear good and lasting fruit. [02:46]

2. Transformation through Jesus: True transformation and the ability to bear good fruit come from Jesus. It is not through our own efforts but through His work within us that we can become new creations. This requires daily surrender and seeking His guidance. [02:46]

3. The Call to Humility: Lent invites us to embrace humility, recognizing our need for change and the areas in our lives that require God's intervention. It is a time to pray for the courage to confront our shortcomings and allow God to uproot what is not of Him. [05:19]

4. Lent as a Journey: Lent is not a self-help exercise but a journey of following Jesus to the cross. It is a time of intense focus on Him, embracing the call to die to ourselves so that we may rise with Him. This journey requires cooperation with God's grace. [05:19]

5. Bearing Lasting Fruit: The ultimate goal is to bear fruit that remains, not fruit that withers or is rotten. This is achieved by remaining in Jesus, allowing His presence to dwell within us and guide our actions and words. [05:19]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to the Sermon on the Plain
- [01:15] - Reflection on the Beatitudes
- [02:00] - The Call to Stop Judging
- [02:46] - Fruit Imagery and Spiritual Foundation
- [03:30] - Preparing for Lent
- [04:00] - The Role of Jesus in Transformation
- [04:30] - The Importance of Humility
- [05:00] - Lent as a Journey of Following Jesus
- [05:19] - Bearing Lasting Fruit
- [05:45] - Closing Reflections

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 6:43-45 - "For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."
2. Psalm 1:3 - "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."
3. Revelation 21:5 - "And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'"

Observation Questions:
1. According to Luke 6:43-45, what is the relationship between a tree and the fruit it bears? How does this relate to our spiritual lives? [02:46]
2. In the sermon, what does the pastor suggest is necessary for bearing good fruit in our lives? [02:46]
3. How does the imagery of a tree planted by streams of water in Psalm 1:3 relate to the sermon’s message about being rooted in faith? [02:46]
4. What does the phrase "out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks" imply about the source of our actions and words? [02:46]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the metaphor of trees and fruit in Luke 6:43-45 help us understand the importance of our spiritual foundation? [02:46]
2. What does it mean to be "planted in the rich soil of faith" as described in the sermon, and how does this affect our ability to bear good fruit? [02:46]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus transforms us to bear good fruit, and how does this transformation occur? [05:19]
4. How does the concept of humility play a role in our spiritual journey, especially during Lent, according to the sermon? [05:19]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual foundation. Are there areas in your life where you feel more rooted in worldly pleasures than in faith? How can you begin to shift your focus? [02:46]
2. Lent is described as a journey of following Jesus to the cross. What specific steps can you take during this season to deepen your relationship with Him? [05:19]
3. The sermon emphasizes the need for humility and courage to confront our shortcomings. What is one area in your life where you need to ask for God's intervention and transformation? [05:19]
4. Consider the fruit you are currently bearing in your life. Is it reflective of a life rooted in Jesus? What changes can you make to ensure you are bearing good and lasting fruit? [02:46]
5. How can you incorporate daily prayer and the sacraments into your routine to strengthen your spiritual foundation? [02:46]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of cooperating with God's grace. What does this look like in your daily life, and how can you be more open to His guidance? [05:19]
7. As you prepare for Lent, what specific prayer or practice can you adopt to help you focus on spiritual renewal and transformation? [05:19]

Devotional

Day 1: Rooted in Faith, Not the World
Our spiritual lives are like trees, and the fruit we bear reflects the foundation upon which we are planted. If we are rooted in the transient pleasures and comforts of the world, our outcomes will be fleeting and unsatisfying. However, when we are deeply planted in the rich soil of faith, nourished by the sacraments, prayer, and the teachings of the Church, we can bear good and lasting fruit. This foundation is crucial as it determines the quality and endurance of the fruit we produce. The call is to examine where we are planted and to ensure that our roots are firmly established in faith. [02:46]

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Reflection: Consider where you are currently planted. Are there areas in your life where you are relying more on worldly comforts than on your faith? How can you begin to shift your foundation to be more deeply rooted in God today?


Day 2: Transformation Through Surrender to Jesus
True transformation and the ability to bear good fruit come from Jesus. It is not through our own efforts but through His work within us that we can become new creations. This transformation requires daily surrender and seeking His guidance. By allowing Jesus to work in us, we open ourselves to the possibility of becoming who we are truly meant to be. It is a process of letting go of our own control and trusting in His divine plan for our lives. [02:46]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?


Day 3: Embracing Humility for True Change
Lent invites us to embrace humility, recognizing our need for change and the areas in our lives that require God's intervention. It is a time to pray for the courage to confront our shortcomings and allow God to uproot what is not of Him. Humility is essential in this process, as it allows us to acknowledge our weaknesses and seek God's strength to overcome them. By embracing humility, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's grace. [05:19]

James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life where pride has prevented you from seeking God's help. How can you practice humility in this area and invite God's transformative power?


Day 4: Lent as a Journey of Dying to Self
Lent is not a self-help exercise but a journey of following Jesus to the cross. It is a time of intense focus on Him, embracing the call to die to ourselves so that we may rise with Him. This journey requires cooperation with God's grace and a willingness to let go of our own desires and ambitions. By dying to ourselves, we make room for Christ to live within us, guiding our actions and decisions. [05:19]

Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Reflection: What is one desire or ambition you need to let go of to make more room for Christ in your life? How can you begin this process during Lent?


Day 5: Bearing Fruit That Lasts
The ultimate goal is to bear fruit that remains, not fruit that withers or is rotten. This is achieved by remaining in Jesus, allowing His presence to dwell within us and guide our actions and words. By staying connected to Him, we ensure that the fruit we bear is good and lasting. It is a continuous process of nurturing our relationship with Jesus and allowing His love to flow through us to others. [05:19]

John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: Reflect on the fruit you are currently bearing in your life. Is it lasting and good? How can you deepen your connection with Jesus to ensure that your fruit remains?

Quotes


that tree that is planted beside flowing waters deep rich roots in good fertile soil and again today this imagery of fruit of what do I bear and the only way we can know of where we how we are doing or where we are at is the fruit that comes forth from us [00:01:30]

even at the end of the gospel 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 so whatever is going on in our heart that's how we speak that's how we act that's how we think [00:01:48]

As a disciple of Jesus, Jesus is speaking to all those people in that day who followed him, but he also speaks to the crowd here today, this morning, his disciples. Where are you planted? Are you planted in the world? Are you planted around pleasure, about easiness, comfortability? [00:02:23]

because ultimately I'm planted in the sacraments. I'm planted in the church. I'm planted in daily prayer. I'm planted in this daily discipline of life that allows me to bear good fruit. Only the Lord Jesus ultimately can be the one who bears this fruit in us. [00:02:57]

And so we have to go to him each and every day, pleading that he might uproot within us whatever is evil, so that from that fullness we won't speak evil, but we will speak good. It is only the Lord Jesus who can make all things new, as he says through St. John. [00:03:10]

Make me someone who can bear good fruit, not because I'm so great, not because of look what I can do day after day, but because he does the work in me. He's able to bear good fruit in me because I'm willing to see the wooden beam in my own eye. [00:03:42]

I'm willing to see where I'm planted that I need to uproot and remove from me, remove from my life. This takes courage. It takes fortitude. It takes humility. I think humility is the grace to pray for today at this Mass, being able to see where do I need to die, where do I need to change [00:03:57]

Lent is a time of intense focus on Jesus, following him to Jerusalem, following him to Calvary, and being willing to die. So ultimately, we're cooperating. We're cooperating with all the grace that God wants to give us [00:04:44]

Where do I need to change? Where do I need to die to myself? It's not just about doing more things. But what in my life needs to be rooted out so that I can ultimately bear fruit, fruit that will remain, not wither away, not be rotten. [00:05:02]

Everything comes through that. And so as we begin to celebrate Lent and journey these 40 days toward the cross, then eventually toward Easter Sunday, the empty tomb, it's wonderful for us to reflect upon where am I planted? [00:02:05]

It is only the Lord Jesus who can make all things new, as he says through St. John. in Revelation. Behold, I make all things new. Well, that's a good prayer for us to pray, I think, these last few days before Lent. Lord, make me new. [00:03:27]

Offer your life for the other person in love, in sacrifice, in mercy. And then today we have this fruit imagery, this blind imagery, talking about can a good tree bear good fruit? And I think this falls quite perfectly right before we begin this season of Lent on Wednesday. [00:00:54]

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Transcript
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