Reflection: So by their fruits you will know them...

In the Gospel of Matthew 7, Jesus spoke to the disciples about bearing good fruit. He said that a good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a rotten tree cannot bear good fruit.

So what does that mean to us?

Jesus is teaching us about cultivating our hearts with goodness so that we bear good fruit in our lives, fruit that will last.

We are in the middle of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, proclaimed by Pope Francis. He began the year with a penitential liturgy and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

How can we bear good fruit in our lives?

Make a commitment to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation often. This sacrament will draw you near to the Father who is "rich in mercy." Turn to Jesus in confession and repent. He will extend His mercy with abundance to those who turn to Him with a sincere heart.

What happens when we go to confession frequently?

When you confess your sins in confession often, you receive forgiveness and mercy,  Grace comes down upon you which gives you strength to sin  no more. Little by little, your faults and vices are rooted out and replaced by virtues. Catechism of the Catholic Church: Virtues

"A virtue is an habitual and firm disposition to do the good." CCC 1803

Make this Jubilee Year of Mercy fruitful by receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation often. In this way, you will create a clean heart in yourself and you will develop virtues which will help you bear good fruit. Let us ask Mary, our Mother of Mercy, to keep her gaze upon us and draw us to Jesus in the Throne of Grace where we will receive forgiveness and mercy.

A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit.  Psalm 51:12