"By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them." - Mt. 7: 16-20
I remember going to the store with my mom during the summer. She'd pick up the watermelon and knock on it, she'd pick up the cantaloupe and knock on it. She was always looking for the "good fruit." She would test the fruit she was buying in order to ensure that it was actually good fruit. Later on we'd comment on whether the melon was sweet enough or juicy enough. She didn't only want to pick good fruit, she reviewed the fruit that had been picked.
What fruit is being born in your life? Certainly, fruits of our decisions, otherwise known as consequences, abound. Consider a few places in your life where perhaps you can ask, is this bearing good fruit in my life? Is this bringing greater connection, meaningful moments, peace, joy, renewal? Or is it bearing anxiety, distress, division, fear, loneliness and isolation? Ask this about your downtime activities: your phone or TV habits. Ask this about your work and friendships. Ask this about your family dynamics and the pace of your family's life. We don't have to accept the fruit which the culture tells us is normal. We were made for fruit which truly satisfies.
What part of my life is bearing good fruit in me right now?
Jesus, help me to choose that fruit which fills me with greater life.
Reflection by:
Fr. Chuck Dornquast
Did You Know...
Fr. Chuck Dornquast is a son of St. Joseph Parish in Zephyrhills. After graduating from Zephyrhills High School he entered seminary where he would spend the next 9 years. While in seminary he spent time at many of our diocesan parishes and discovered more and more the heart of Christ the High Priest within him. After ordination he spent his first 4 years of priesthood as the associate pastor of St. Lawrence in Tampa. He currently serves the Diocese of St. Petersburg as the Director of Vocations.
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