Abiding in the vine leads to fruit bearing…..the lives of the saints for 2000 years prove this out ……. I have come to understand that our authenticity (or lack thereof) is made evident by the fruit that our life is bearing……Never listen to what a man has to say….Look at the fruit his choices bear and if those choices bear good fruit, listen to every word that man has to say….. Fruit-bearing involves cross-bearing. There are not two Christ(s)--an easygoing one for easygoing Christians, and toiling one for “conservative” Catholics. There is only one Christ. Are you willing to abide in Him, and thus to bear much fruit?

Gospel Text: (Mt 13:18-23)

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Hear the parable of the sower.
The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom
without understanding it,
and the Evil One comes and steals away
what was sown in his heart.
The seed sown on rocky ground
is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.
But he has no root and lasts only for a time.
When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,
but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word
and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil
is the one who hears the word and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

 

Reflect, today, upon this high calling from our Lord. Achieving the goal of having exceptionally rich soil in your heart for the Word of God requires unyielding commitment and determination. There are numerous temptations that will fight against the creation of a fertile heart. Try to look at your own heart today. Be honest. How fertile is it? Does the Word of God grow there? And if so, does it grow to superabundance? Commit yourself to the goal of becoming that rich soil in which the Word of God is sown that not only bears good fruit but bears good fruit that is a hundredfold.