People, once they taste bad fruit, will be less than likely to pick from the same tree. The Church is full of rotten fruit these days, and focusing on what is good to ignore the gnarly witnesses is classically called “happy talk.” Such talk inhibits repentance, and leaves things the way they are, all out of a fear of both taking responsibility, and being willing to allow God to critique His own Church.
But talk, one way or the other, while necessary isn’t enough. Sexual abuse, dissent, gossip, polarization, rage and sinful wrath, the 215+ children abused, buried and swept under the rug, and all forms of sin therein is the “bad fruit.” It’s on our breath, and it’s been tasted by many.
The truth is, such things wouldn’t exist, or be hidden if we loved Christ. Evangelization therefore must begin by a very serious look at the fruits, we who are responsible primarily for ourselves first, bear.
When examining those fruits look for the intense, growing life-changing relationship with Christ. Not the bureaucratic theologian, nor the legalistic ecclesial politician, nor the hired hand-people-pleasing prophet. Rather, the one whom others look at as a person who is known by Christ and knows Him deeply.
If this were true for Catholics, none of the other horrendous sins of the Church would exist.
Photo: Public Domain
