Day 45

4 Even so every good tree yieldeth good fruit, and the bad tree yieldeth bad fruit.’ Hence, a good repentance must be distinguished from a bad one.

Strange state of a rational being : — that, failing to bring forth good fruit, he should be fit only to be burnt !

4 By their fruits you shall know them’ — the good trees — and not by their leaves : that is, by their deeds, not their words. The fig-tree that Our Lord cursed had leaves ; but because it bore no fruit Christ made it wither up : — 4 May no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever.’ 1 As a punishment for being barren, it is made yet more so. If we bring not forth fruit in due season, and when the Master looks for it, a time comes when we are unable to produce it at all.

A wise confessor should require fruit, and not merely leaves, from his penitent. He must not be satisfied either with what appears to be a good tree covered with foliage, or with blossoms wherein the fruit is beginning to set. He must obtain true, perfectly-formed fruits, or he will have reason to doubt the sincerity of the repentance.

1 Matt. xxi. 19^ 20.

IfortiMytb 2>a?

What true virtue consists in . — Matt. vii. 21 ; xxi. 28-32.

ESUS CHRIST has just spoken of trees without fruit ; and, of these, one especially bad kind should be noted. This is the Christian who bears the appearance of goodness, whilst in reality he is not good at all. Such a man talks much and does nothing. 4 Lord, Lord ! * he says ; but he had much better not so often name the Lord, and do what He commands.

There are some people who object to nothing : who will undertake whatever you may suggest to them. Yes, I will do and say what you like ; I will pray ; I will help in everything : — but when it comes to putting all this into practice, nothing can be got out of them. The Jews were of those who make many professions $ and Jesus said to them : — 4 The publicans and harlots shall go into the Kingdom of God before you * : — by c 140 ]