Good Fruit

John was a powerful preacher who drew crowds from Jerusalem despite his wild appearance and demanding message. He called for changes in the way people thought, in their attitude, their relationships, and in their behavior. When the Pharisees and Sadducees joined the crowds wanting to be baptized, he called them out. He claimed they didn’t have the right to be baptized just because of their position in the church and their family history.

This reminds me of the way so many who claim to be Catholics today do so based on their family history. “I was raised in a Catholic family. We went to Mass every Sunday.” Or “I went to Catholic school and was confirmed with my whole class.” Or maybe their claim is based on church position. “I am an usher.” Or “I am an aide in the church’s office.” But if I hear them correctly, I also hear “But I don’t believe all that stuff the Church says. Women should have the right to choose,” or “I go to Mass when I can work it into my schedule. I’m a busy person, after all.” Perhaps their idea of being a good Catholic involves other social protests. But when asked to contribute their time and effort into a local project, they don’t have the interest or the time.

I won’t go as far as to call these folks a brood of vipers, but I believe it is fair to ask “Where is your good fruit?” John insists that when we are true to the faith, it will be apparent by the good fruit we produce. But if it’s fair to ask these more questionable Catholics, it’s also fair to ask myself, how am I different from the Pharisees and Sadducees? Is it possible my faith is all on the surface and doesn’t involve my behavior, relationships or attitude? Where is my own good fruit?

If each of us is called to sainthood, or at least to have ‘holy moments’ then we should have something we can point to and say “There is my good fruit.” Just as fruit grows on different trees, no one person will produce the same fruit as another person. I need to remember that to produce MY good fruit involves becoming the person God intends me to be. That would mean using my skills to spread the Word and to demonstrate the Word by example. Good fruit must demonstrate Christian thought, attitude, and behavior, in our relationships. If that doesn’t happen, my faith is not real. I could be a tree about to be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

Linda Crowley