What Fruits Look Like

One of the challenges of the Christian life is learning how to recognise fruit. Jesus tells us that “every good tree bears good fruit” (Matthew 7:17), and in John’s Gospel, He reminds us that we have been chosen “to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last” (John 15:16). Fruitfulness is not an optional extra for Christians but one of the clearest signs that faith is alive and active. But what does fruit actually look like?

Perhaps a more helpful question to address first is this: Why do we come to Mass? As important as attendance is, do we come because it is what we have always done? Do we come to satisfy an obligation? Do we come because we enjoy the music, the homily, or the company of particular people? Or do we come because we believe that God is gathering His people into communion with Himself and with one another?

The word “practice” is an interesting one. We often speak about “practising our faith,” but practice implies repetition for the sake of growth. Athletes practise. Musicians practise. And disciples practise too. Every Sunday, we gather to practise being the people of love whom God is calling us to become. That means Mass is never an individual activity because love implies relationships with others. Rather than being somewhere we come to get something out of it or to satisfy our needs, the purpose of Mass is to glorify God and to practice being the Body of Christ – in our worship together, our pray together, our listening together, our reception of the Eucharist together, and to share life together. Importantly, we do this not only with people we naturally like or gravitate towards, but with people of different ages, backgrounds, personalities, and life experiences. The Church is one of the few places left in society where generations regularly gather together around a common purpose. This is not an accident but part of God’s design.

When we begin to understand Mass in this way, we also begin to understand what fruit looks like. Fruit is not simply increased attendance, although growth can be one sign of health. Fruit is a parish where people are growing in love of God and neighbour. Fruit is when parishioners know one another’s names. Fruit is when families feel welcome. Fruit is when the elderly feel valued. Fruit is when young people find a place to belong. Fruit is when people move from being consumers of ministry to participants in the mission of Christ.

Over the past two years, our parish has seen significant changes in our inage demographics with our parish profile becoming younger and more balanced.

These figures matter because they suggest that many of the seeds planted through our investment in children, families, youth, and young adults are beginning to bear fruit. More importantly, they represent real people whom God is drawing closer to Himself. Yet statistics can only tell part of the story. The deeper questions remain. Am I becoming more like Christ? Am I growing in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23)? Am I accompanying others to encounter Jesus? Am I contributing to the life of our parish community, or simply attending it? These are the questions that reveal fruit.

As we look to the future, may we continue to practise our faith with intention, gather with generosity, worship with gratitude, and invest ourselves in the life of our parish. For when we remain connected to Christ, the true vine, fruitfulness will always follow.

With fruitful love – Fr Josh