Gospel: Matthew 7: 15-20
Anyone who regularly shops for fruit knows that first appearances can always be deceptive. At first glance a piece of fruit may appear very good; its outer appearance looks ripe and fresh. But upon closer inspection, once the fruit is picked up and inspected more closely it is clear the outer appearance has masked fruit gone soft and mealy. It is a piece of fruit that cannot nourish us.
The same is true in the ethical and spiritual lives. We often give the outward appearance to others of being just and ethical people. We put on airs of living holy lives by outer expressions of piety or the wearing of religious affectations. But what are we inside? Is all this exterior adornment just to mask the fact that we are not what we appear to be?
The Beatitudes are a sure way to guarantee that our fruit is indeed good. The inward dispositions to be poor in spirit, meek, merciful, peacemaking, pure of heart and patient in suffering will animate our entire being and make our outward appearance - our words and deeds - truly good and thereby help others produce good fruit in their lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment