Last week in these reflections, we considered the question of how we might judge our progress in faith. 

 

Using the image Jesus gave to His followers, we ask ourselves, “How might we be able to discern if we are bearing the good fruit of a spiritually healthy tree?”

 

Life is a spiritual struggle until our last breath. And in that struggle we seek to cut through the fog of mind and the weakness of judgment that result from original sin. 

 

Because of sin we are aware that we have a hard time knowing ourselves in the depth of our hearts. Our willingness to excuse ourselves or to find language or a mode of reasoning that lessens our guilt or even exonerates us from sinful actions makes us, in a way, a mystery to ourselves. It is, simply put, a form of selfishness that is that root of sin.

 

This is one of the great reasons for the regular reception of the sacrament of confession. In that sacrament, we do not just recount a litany of offenses. 

 

First, we are forced to prepare by examining our consciences. In a context of prayer, we seek to confront as clearly as possible the evil we have committed, not only against ourselves or others, but most importantly against the love of God.

 

Then, in that moment that many find to be difficult, the recitation of our sins before the priest, a further help to find the truth takes place. 

 

By conversing with the priest we have another set of ears and experience listening to our discernment. That combination of grace and of humanity helps us to confront our sins honestly as well as our need for conversion.

 

At the same time, the conversation with the priest often helps us to identify the positive signs of grace in our lives and actions. Part of the damage of sin can also be a reticence to recognize the good within us as we travel the road to heaven. 

 

One of the great signs of grace and a healthy spiritual life is the ability to seek unity. That means unity with God, with our Catholic faith and Church, in our families and with others whom we meet. 

 

To be one who seeks unity is to be the kind of person not turned in upon self, not seeking first his or her own wants or needs.

 

St. Paul, writing to the Philippians focused on exactly this point. He told them, “… complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but (also) everyone for those of others.” (Phil 2: 2-4)

 

It is remarkable that one of the first and most evident fruits of the spiritual life is to seek God and the good of others first. And that can happen in so many daily and small ways.

 

We see it, for example, when we arrive at the grocery checkout at the same time as someone else, and one or the other simply says, “You first.” On a larger scale, this is why we seek to help the poor, the unemployed and the refugee.

 

By seeing Christ in others, we are drawn to become that good fruit of faith. We strive to regard others as more important than ourselves. Prayer, the Mass and all the sacraments give us grace and help strengthen that response to the challenges of life.

 

By their fruits you will know them, Jesus told us (Mt. 7:16).

 

What kind of fruits are visible in our lives?