Never, Ever Give Up On Hope

"A good tree cannot bear bad fruit" (Matthew 7:18).

Weeks ago I noticed one of the large apple trees outside my window hadn't yet come into bud. Its bare form stood alone among all the other trees that had long since flowered and were well into full leaf. At first I thought it must have died, but later figured it just needed a little more time to mature. Day after day I watched the tree and thought about its progress, until finally I surmised that the harsh winter must have killed it. Figuring it would soon be cut down, I didn't give it another thought.

Fortunately God doesn't give up on us that easily. And neither should we be quick to decide on another's growth. Like trees, we need to mature before we can blossom. We tend to think it's hopeless when others fail to bud, but God goes on feeding us with the desire that we grow in His love and bear fruit that is recognizable as good. In today's Gospel, Jesus compares Christian disciples with trees—some produce good fruit, others bad. How are we to distinguish between them? The difference can be recognized by the quality of our deeds—the "fruits."

The lone apple tree I left for dead is now fully leafed and lush with life, but because I gave up on it, I completely missed its spectacular flowering stage of pink and white blossoms. Now, with God's care, it's well on its way to bearing shiny red fruit, which is what He wants from each of us. "So by their fruits you will know them" (Matthew 7:20).

“I plead with you - never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.” - Pope John Paul II

Elizabeth