By their fruits you will know them (Mt 7:16)
All the world is covered with plants, even the lichens in Antarctica. Likewise, all the world has known the influence of mankind for many thousands of years. And each generation, where ever and when ever, has struggled with life: birthing, eating, growing, teaching, healing, dying. And as Jesus reminds us, each man, each individual, is know for the fruits he produces in his lifetime. His fruits are the deeds he does, the seeds he sows. Good acts. Bad acts. We can know the man by the results of his actions.
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves (Mt 7:15)
Jesus warns us too, that we can easily be lead astray. For example, the monster of nationalism is such a force, feeding our minds with ideas of superiority, breeding arrogance and chauvinism, throwing fruits of violence and intolerance from generation to generation. What puts us up on a pedestal above our neighbour? A language? A fashion? A skin colour? A diet? A nation, a state, a government and/or a people routinely pretend to be what they are not because the truth is sometimes painful, too ugly to behold. In the unthinking routine, lies become truths, however the fruit remains bitter.
The whole Sermon on the Mount invites us to reflect upon what sort of person i now am and who i can become. Christ's speech calls for meditation, self-revelation, the wisdom to choose a new path, the resolution to follow it together with Christ and the perseverance to maintain the journey through this lifetime.
What tree am i? What fruit do i produce? What kind of man am i? Are my deeds transparent, for all to see and thus worthy of being remembered? Do my fruits feed my brothers: do my actions help others to grow, give shelter, give direction, feed their faith and hope and charity? Am i contributing to a better world in which Love triumphs over hate and compassion triumphs over anger and wisdom triumphs over ignorance? Are the results of my actions sweet or bitter?
I dislike bitter fruit so why would i choose to act in a way that is not helpful? I might seek to cut down a worthless tree, so why would i risk choices that would have me cut down and cast aside by my brothers? Wisdom and God's grace can make a difference: today i can start anew, casting sweeter fruits, growing upright and true, sending down stronger roots, humble, yet valued and trusted. May God know the true flavour of my fruits and accept them as thanks for all that He has given me; may the results of all my actions be fruitful and beneficial to all.
Deo gratias.
All the world is covered with plants, even the lichens in Antarctica. Likewise, all the world has known the influence of mankind for many thousands of years. And each generation, where ever and when ever, has struggled with life: birthing, eating, growing, teaching, healing, dying. And as Jesus reminds us, each man, each individual, is know for the fruits he produces in his lifetime. His fruits are the deeds he does, the seeds he sows. Good acts. Bad acts. We can know the man by the results of his actions.
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves (Mt 7:15)
Jesus warns us too, that we can easily be lead astray. For example, the monster of nationalism is such a force, feeding our minds with ideas of superiority, breeding arrogance and chauvinism, throwing fruits of violence and intolerance from generation to generation. What puts us up on a pedestal above our neighbour? A language? A fashion? A skin colour? A diet? A nation, a state, a government and/or a people routinely pretend to be what they are not because the truth is sometimes painful, too ugly to behold. In the unthinking routine, lies become truths, however the fruit remains bitter.
The whole Sermon on the Mount invites us to reflect upon what sort of person i now am and who i can become. Christ's speech calls for meditation, self-revelation, the wisdom to choose a new path, the resolution to follow it together with Christ and the perseverance to maintain the journey through this lifetime.
What tree am i? What fruit do i produce? What kind of man am i? Are my deeds transparent, for all to see and thus worthy of being remembered? Do my fruits feed my brothers: do my actions help others to grow, give shelter, give direction, feed their faith and hope and charity? Am i contributing to a better world in which Love triumphs over hate and compassion triumphs over anger and wisdom triumphs over ignorance? Are the results of my actions sweet or bitter?
I dislike bitter fruit so why would i choose to act in a way that is not helpful? I might seek to cut down a worthless tree, so why would i risk choices that would have me cut down and cast aside by my brothers? Wisdom and God's grace can make a difference: today i can start anew, casting sweeter fruits, growing upright and true, sending down stronger roots, humble, yet valued and trusted. May God know the true flavour of my fruits and accept them as thanks for all that He has given me; may the results of all my actions be fruitful and beneficial to all.
Deo gratias.
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