Today’s Reading: Luke 6:43-45; John 15:1-5 Version CEV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+6%3A43-45%3B+John+15%3A1-5&version=CEV

Jesus left us a simple recipe so that we would not be fooled by the demagoguery or the hypocrisy of people: “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers.”

This emphasis on outcomes accompanied the preaching and life of Jesus. He put an end to the formal, empty and lifeless religion. Love and service to God is measured by the love and service we provide to our brothers. However, what human being, born in sin can put aside selfishness, to live supporting and helping his neighbor selflessly?

There is also another side to the coin. If the fruits are good, they will show the quality of the tree.

We know that a person received from God a new nature and has His Spirit, not from the rituals he practices in his religion, but by the way he acts every day. If we are united to Jesus, our life will show it. He correct our shortcomings, clarifies our distortions, and gives new direction to our values, even the results will be better. Jesus is the true vine!

Ildefonso Torres