Good Trees bear Good Fruit

‘Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it. ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits. ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Matthew 7:13-21

A week or so ago, my husband and I along with our eldest daughter and her husband were out picking apples in our favorite orchard. It's not a fancy place, just a few kind folks, two who manage the till and two who play music. It was a quiet Sunday afternoon, and we were overwhelmed by the beauty and the abundance that we were a part of. It reinvigorated joy. We are called to be those who reinvigorate joy, bearing the good fruit of kindness, generosity and peace. We are to be those who are not selfish and self-indulgent but rather, those who reach deep and share the goodness we have.

Abundant Creator, source of all goodness

you plant us in rich soil and tend us all

sharing your love so we might share as well.

We take pride in what we have produced

and think we have this abundance on our own

when it was always for the good of all creation.

Help us to bear the good fruit of your love

give us the humility to be ever grateful for it

and share this God given abundance of love with the world. Amen.