“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 thorn bushes,

nor do they gather grapes from brambles.”

The Lord is using the same imagery as the prophets of the Old Testament to make a point. The people to whom the Lord is speaking would be very familiar with caring for fruit producing trees and picking only the good fruit to eat, make into wine or olive oil. 

If we can agree with the premise that we are fruit, the next step is to inspect ourselves with the same care we inspect actual produce before purchasing.  

These were the questions that came to me when meditating on this passage:

Do I have blemishes or rotten spots that need attention? 

Am I feeding myself with good nutrients to grow in my capacity to live a life conformed to the Lord?

Spoiler alert, tomorrow, we finish the Sermon on the Plain and use St. Paul to give us a model to become “A good tree producing good fruit.”

Cecilia Carroll