“A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit” (Lk 6: 43). What is this good fruit that Jesus speaks of in our Gospel today? Fruits of the Holy Spirit are “perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory…[they are]: ‘charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity’” (CCC 1832).
In the allegory of the Vine and the Branches (Jn. 15: 1-8), Jesus tells us that He is the “true vine.” He says, “Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” When we’re connected to the Christ, the Holy Spirit nourishes and sustains us. The love of God comes through Christ, the Vine, into us, the branches. In order to bear fruit, our only role is to stay connected to Christ. It’s easy to fall into the mistake of thinking that we must do the work of bearing the fruit; however, consider that the branches of a grapevine don’t work. By simply staying connected to the central vine, the life of the plant flows through them, erupting in leaves, flowers, and fruit. So it is with us: when connected to Christ, the power of God’s love flows through us, producing spiritual fruit.
We “remain” in Christ through the life-sustaining vine of the Church and the sacraments. When we go to Reconciliation, we affirm our desire to keep God’s commandments: “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love…” (Jn 15:10). In Holy Communion, we’re nourished by Christ Himself. His life and love enters us and we bear it as good fruit into the world.
Lord Jesus, help me remain in You so I can bear good fruit for Your glory.