No good tree bears bad fruit
As part of our efforts to live a more sustainable lifestyle we are planting trees and shrubs in our backyard. Our idea is to one day reach the place where we are growing and eating our own food. A married couple, who are our friends, fascinated by our efforts, has donated two trees on their 3 hectares estate to our efforts. The trees remain on the estate but we harvest them.
The trees are an orange tree and a coffee tree. Recently we used the oranges to make fresh orange juice for two weeks and a large jar of delicious marmalade. Later this week, we journey to the estate to harvest the coffee.
These two trees, donated with good hearts, are good trees and bear good fruit according to this week’s Gospel Luke 6: 39-45 ‘For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.’
With the harvest, we are reminded that the generosity of our friends has not only enriched our efforts toward sustainability but has also deepened our appreciation for the gifts of creation. As we prepare to gather the coffee beans, we reflect on the patience and care required for them to ripen—much like the spiritual growth nurtured by our friends act of kindness and stewardship.
In harvesting these trees, we find ourselves gathering more than just food; we are fostering a deeper connection to the land, to our community, and to the wisdom found in Scripture.
In the Gospel Jesus is urging us to become good trees through lives rooted in faith, nourished by love, and strengthened by acts of kindness. Just as a tree draws sustenance from rich soil, we are called to ground ourselves in God’s word, allowing it to shape our hearts and guide our actions.
The fruits we bear—whether in generosity, compassion, or service—are a reflection of the spiritual nourishment we receive. Through this simple act of generosity, our friends demonstrate they are good trees with hearts of gold, and their trees brings forth abundance in due season.
Friend, we also, like our friends, must nurture our own trees to bear good fruit. This is why we have nurtured this newsletter and our pastoral website. We invite you to join us in sharing the seeds of the Gospel, by sharing these publications and if possible, become a patron by upgrading to a paid subscriber.
Our lenten retreat is carded for Thursday 13th March at 8pm on Zoom. More details forthcoming.
The link to our pastoral webpage is LINK