What tree is that?
- Gary Fritsch
- Sep 13
- 2 min read
Some trees we can easily recognize because of the very familiar shape of their leaves, maple trees, oak trees and such. Other trees, we might not know at all if we didn't see fruit on their branches - apple trees and cherry trees, for example.
Jesus uses this metaphor to explain how people will know if we are truly Christian or not. It is not by our words (Lord, Lord) although Christians may indeed utter these words. It is not by our attendance at Mass or other Church functions, although these are also things that true Christians do. It is by our 'fruits'. What are the things in our life that could be considered 'fruits'?
I would propose that it is one thing and one thing only - LOVE. Actual love, true love, Christian love, Christlike love. I recently asked a group of Christians (mostly Catholics, I suppose) at a faith-based event: What would people say about your religion based on observing you? Would they say that your religion causes you to go Mass and recite prayers? Or would they say that your religion fills you with a contagious joy? Would they say that your faith seems to make you capable of loving better than others in the world do? Would they say that your beliefs cause you to spend more time with others, listen more, care more?
Sadly, many of us might have to admit that we are not exuding these great loving qualities all of the time. That's OK, we serve a forgiving God. We can still get to work on these things. One of the best things we can do each day is to pray for our ability to bring the love of Christ to others. We pray for it in the morning and reflect upon how we did in those efforts in the evening. This is not to berate ourselves for our failures, but to continue to observe and learn and begin to understand the things that support our loving, and those that stand in the way. It also paves the way for a fruitful confession when the time comes.
So what kind of tree would others say that you are?
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