You will know them by their fruits

Gen. 15:1-12.17-18, Mt. 7:15-20. Today's first reading presents Abram as a most appealing, lovable and venerable man. That is why God made a Covenant with him, calling him into a new existence, one that is blessed and filled with His grace. His faithfulness and dedication have been found worthy by God. Surely, Abram had a good life in his ancestral land, judging by the large amount of possessions he had. Yet, the Lord called him out of that land to follow His lead into the land He promised him and his descendants and Abram obeyed the Lord faithfully.

In his faithfulness to God, Abram bore great fruit. His life attested to what Jesus tells us in today's Gospel, as He uses the example of a good tree that produces good fruits and how bad trees produce bad fruits. Abraham is an example of a good tree that produces good fruits, which refers to his good, compassionate and kind heart. His loving and faithful self, which is shown in his actions, filled with love and compassion, faith and commitment to God, in his sincerity to be a righteous man. Jesus also warns us against false leaders whose ambitions are oppose to what they promise. Outwardly they look like sheep but underneath they are ravenous wolves. The suave image they project is false and deceptive. From Jesus, the real test of our heart’s desire is the kind of fruit that our lives bear: "You will know them by their fruits."

May the Lord grant us cheerful and a generous heart and may we bring joy to our homes, work and to all whom we meet! Amen!! Good morning, it is well with you!!!