By Their Fruits – Reflection on Matthew 7:15-20 ~
The never-ending echo of Jesus saying, “You will know them by their fruits,” reaches tirelessly into our world, breaking through to those who will hear its truth. You can self-identify your fruiting when you “leave” your place of sanctuary. Do you encounter selfishness, deceit, and greed, among other vices, yet you are not drawn into the deceit? Trinity’s light inside changes you to become virtuous against the tide. Your fruit may sometimes seem like a drop in the bucket of what is needed. However, Jesus’s echo continues with, and because of you and others like you, transforming the world with example after example. We can all do our part to help Him change ravenous hearts.
Jesus Discourses with His Disciples, James Tissot, (full resolution painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Matthew 7:15-20 – Scripture*
A Tree and Its Fruit
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 7:15-20 Reflection – By Their Fruits.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission from New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) to use the Matthew 7 Bible passage.
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