When I entered the seminary, I thought I was well-equipped with the knowledge and experiences from my work and parish involvement. As days passed by, however, I realized that I was wrong. There are so many things, events, and activities in the seminary that I was not familiar with. Some are things that I considered as my weaknesses. Some are things totally foreign to me. Some had even pushed me to my limit.

Beyond the tight community schedule, long list of reflection papers that must be submitted, class reports, and others, I welcome everything that the seminary formation offers. This can be the start of something “good” that is being formed by God in me. There can be many unlearning, learning, and relearning that I may encounter in the process. But one thing I am certain; as long as I am willing and open to God in forming me, I may bear good fruit.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us that a good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree near good fruit. Further, the Gospel provides us with the importance of building a house on the right foundation. As I reflect on the Gospel, it reminds me that no matter how challenging the activities in the seminary are, I must submit myself entirely to the formation. Seminary formation helps me in building my foundation to be strong enough to endure storms and other challenges that I may face in the future ministry. The seminary would like to produce a “good fruit” in me – as a good tree does not bear rotten fruit.

By: Sem. Arjay A. Ligamzon

Today’s Gospel

Lk 6:43-49

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.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command?
I will show you what someone is like who comes to me,
listens to my words, and acts on them.
That one is like a man building a house,
who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock;
when the flood came, the river burst against that house
but could not shake it because it had been well built.
But the one who listens and does not act
is like a person who built a house on the ground
without a foundation.
When the river burst against it,
it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed.”