from thorn bushes; or figs, from thistles?
A good tree always produces good fruit. A rotten tree produces bad fruit. A good tree cannot
produce bad fruit; and a rotten tree cannot bear good fruit. Any tree that does not bear good
fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruit.
Reflect
What kind of fruit does your life bear? How do you know if you are obeying God’s will? In his
writings, Saint Ignatius of Loyola wrote frequently about discerning God’s will for our lives. For
him, one of the signs that you were moving closer to God’s will is the experience of consolation –
a feeling of peace and hope. Consolation is the fruit of good discernment. On the other hand,
moving away from God’s will or following a sheep in wolf’s clothing leads to a feeling of desolation
which brings sadness and despair. That bad fruit is a warning to change paths.
It is easy to mistake the wolf for a sheep only later finding out its true nature. Or we choose
fruit we think is good only to find out when we get it home that it is rotten inside. Fortunately,
our God is a God of mercy and compassion. When we find ourselves on the wrong path, God
calls us to turn around, find the right path, and move toward him. He will be waiting for us with
love.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023