The Fruit of the Earth

Continued 👇🏾 The Fruit of the Earth When David cries, “The earth has yielded her fruit” (Ps. 66:6; 84:12), the fathers interpret: Earth means Jerusalem, the Church, the faithful, or even our Lady. Fruit is the Word of God, the worship of God, and most especially our Lord Jesus Christ. For from the earth meaning the Virgin Mary the Fruit of life, Christ Himself, was brought forth. Therefore daily we echo the angel’s words: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Lk. 1:28). Christ Himself taught by seeds: some fall by the road and are snatched away; some spring up on rocky ground but wither for lack of roots; some are choked by thorns; and some fall on good soil, yielding thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold. So is every soul that hears the Word. The careless hear but do not understand; the shallow rejoice but fall in trial; the worldly are smothered by riches and cares; but the faithful keep the Word, live it, and abound in every good work. (Matt. 13:1–23). The Fathers explain the mystery: The hundredfold are martyrs, offering their lives. The sixtyfold are monks, renouncing the world. The thirtyfold are lay believers who live righteously in the world. Each has his measure, yet each is precious, for the Lord crowns not the number but the faithfulness. The Warning of Barren Trees But as useless plants are cut down and burned, so every unfruitful Christian faces judgment. “The axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire” (Matt. 3:10). Let us therefore take heed, for hell awaits the barren soul. Growing as the Seed of Christ The seed grows in stages: in itself, in its sides, in its inner life, and in its labor. So must we: Grow in fear of God within ourselves. Support one another in love. Keep purity inwardly. Walk in humility outwardly. Just as plants bring forth fruit in due season, so must we hasten to bring forth righteousness: first in small beginnings, then in greater works, and finally in perfection. The Christian is seed sown by Christ in the good soil of His Church; we must not waste such a gift but grow into heirs of the Kingdom. Conclusion The Season of Fruit is not a mere calendar mark, but a summons: to remember that we are seeds, planted in the soil of faith, watered by the Word, nourished by the Spirit, and destined for harvest. Some will be thirtyfold, some sixty, some a hundred but woe to the barren. May God grant that we pass through these stages and, at the end, be gathered as good wheat into His eternal barns. May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always. May the blessings of God's mother, the virgin, and the cross be upon us. Amen. © John's Repentance Reach out to us on our social media platforms and share it with your friends:https://linktr.ee/johnsrepentance