Commentary on the Gospel of
Ensuring Good Fruits
To produce good fruit, a tree must grow healthily. To grow healthily, the tree needs good manure, optimal water and sunlight. Thus, producing good fruits is contingent on the constant nourishing that is provided for the tree. The same applies for the Spirit. What ensures that our souls are well-watered and manured? A life of sacraments by which we regularly feed on the grace of Christ. This is what Paul asks rhetorically, referring to our eucharistic participation: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a communion with the blood of Christ…?” By remaining in communion with Christ as a branch is united in communion with the vine, we draw on his Spirit and produce the fruits of the Spirit (cf. Gal 5:22-23). Without him, we can do nothing (cf. Jn 5:5).
