The Holy Martyrs Manuel, Sabel, and Ismael; Our Venerable Father Hypatius, Hegumen of Ruphenia.
Romans 4:4-12; Matthew 7:15-21.
Read Matthew 7:15-21
Several times in the scriptures, Jesus uses the image of fruit-bearing trees to teach us something. At Bridegroom Matins on Monday of Great and Holy Week, we hear about Jesus cursing the fig tree. Jesus approached the tree, finding on it nothing but leaves. Since it bore no fruit, He cursed it, and immediately it withered (see Mt. 21:18-19). Today we hear that one knows a tree by its fruit. A good tree will bear good fruit, but a bad tree will bear evil fruit (Mt. 7:17).
Do you bear good fruit, evil fruit, or no fruit at all? St. Paul tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is “love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23). Do we allow the Holy Spirit to dwell with us so that we can produce these fruits in our lives? Do we keep telling ourselves, “tomorrow I will begin,” or do we repent this very moment in order to begin producing good fruit with our lives? By the presence of the Holy Spirit within us, may we all be counted worthy of bearing good fruits for our Lord.