Commentary on the Gospel of
If a tree is known by its fruits, by what fruits are a true Christian known? Paul has given us a list as the “true fruit” of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (cf. Gal 5:22-23). The list is headed by the fruit “love.” Jesus himself has been very direct in pointing out by what fruit we are to be known: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35). Indeed, it is by such love that the Christians were branded in the early Church, as Tertullian affirms in his Apologeticus: “It is mainly the deeds of a love so noble that lead many to put a brand upon us. See, they say, how they love one another.”
What is the defining fruit by which you are known?
