fruit inspection
"Look here! For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree and found none. Cut it down." —Luke 13:7
Jesus clearly warns us that we will suffer tragic ends unless we bear the fruit of holiness (see Gal 5:22) and evangelization (see Lk 13:3, 5, 7). Nevertheless, we cannot bear fruit by our own power. All we need do is to live in Jesus as do branches that are part of a vine and He will live in us (Jn 15:5). We can do nothing apart from Jesus (Jn 15:5), but in Jesus we will bear abundant (Jn 15:5), multiplying, and lasting (Jn 15:16) fruit "unto life eternal" (Jn 6:27).
Consequently, let us live our Baptisms by which Jesus entered into us and we into Him. Let us no longer live for ourselves but for Him Who for our "sakes died and was raised up" (2 Cor 5:15). Jesus is "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (Jn 14:6). For all who are in Him, " 'life' means Christ" (Phil 1:21). Live in and for Jesus alone, and bear great fruit.
Prayer: Father, on the threshold of the two-thousandth anniversary of Jesus' Incarnation, I decide to live and die in Jesus.
Promise: "The law of the spirit, the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, has freed you from the law of sin and death." —Rm 8:2
Praise: St. John was governor of his city. He was captured and imprisoned during a battle. While in prison, he gave his life to Jesus, and when released, he became a priest.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our leaflet, Accepting Jesus as Lord, Savior, and God.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 10, 1999
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 16, 1999