“By Their Fruits You Will Know Them…”

“By Their Fruits You Will Know Them…”


We are now in the final ten weeks of ordinary time. It is the time when the Church looks for
the harvest, the fruits of the birth, death, resurrection of her Beloved, and the rich and powerful
results of his life-giving Spirit among us. So what fruits are being fostered? Will we spot them as
the liturgy highlights them?

In September the summer begins to cool down. The liturgy cools us down too…focusing our eyes on
the real struggle that brings forth new life. This month offers us no less than four feasts of the Mother
of God, first of the believers. She shines before us in her birth (Sept. 8), her holy name (Sept. 12), her
sorrows (Sept. 15), and a more hidden ancient feast, Our Lady of Ransom (Sept. 24). Then we are
given the powerful feast of the Holy Cross (Sept 14), a remembrance of the Korean martyrs (Sept. 20),
the Japanese martyrs (Sept. 28), and finally the Feast of the Angels (Sept. 29). This is almost a beginning
of the wonderful colors of autumn.

But what are the fruits that should be showing? First, we are reminded that we deceive ourselves if
we think growth comes without struggle. Peter will get a scolding, and all of us with him. Then we are
shown how to correct one another when we mess up. Next we are shocked to learn that there can be
no limit to forgiving. Finally, we get our values tweaked when we think about payback time. So the
skies must cry before the harvest comes.

The core of this liturgical time is the Feast of the Holy
Cross. It holds a great mystery. We are invited to stare at it
a bit. It might then reveal the true face of God. For the cross
is the most profound revelation of the Triune Mystery.

Not the abstract Three-in-One of doctrine, but the concrete
revelation of Love-in-three-dimensions. The hidden Father
is revealed to us in the Word, pinned to our human struggle,
never to be parted. The healing life-giving Spirit is
released into that time-and-place-bound struggle in the
released breath and flowing redemptive blood. They are all
there. You may want to pray this month with your crucifix
on your lap. Let it speak to you of the real God with arms
outstretched and open heart, where you can always hide out
and be comforted.

I catch my breath

When I look.

Is it really You?

My mixed-up mind has to smash all its idols.

The Real Thing takes my breath away.