Friday, October 25th i Ordinary Time

Human beings are NOT “vermin”.

Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope when you were called. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God who is Father of all, over all, through all and within all.

We are all called to one and the same hope. We are all One Body. and the more we love and are charitable to our neighbors the more we appreciate what Jesus says, you will know them by their fruit Matthew 7:15-20. Jesus did not like the fruit of the Pharisees and called them ” Hypocrites! “This does not mean that He did not want to draw them into the Body. The Pharisees were full of pride and too full of their own self-importance. He did not call them vermin but “Hypocrites!”

Don’t listen to anyone who does not bear good “fruit”!

With social media and the Facebook blurbs that we see a demonization of human beings. People are not all bad. Nonetheless, someone that disagrees with you is not a bad person. They have a different opinion. Do not get me wrong. There are criminals. There are abusive spouses and evil people.

One of the most important things about being older is that I allow myself to be venerable and also allow myself to be flat wrong. While judging others is not something we are supposed to do. Still, we have to look at their fruit that people produce. Saint Paul says in Ephesians. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope when you were called. He also says, Galatians 5:22 In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness.

Be kind to one another. Be gentler to one another. We don’t have to agree to be a kind human. Look for the fruit. If Jesus is in their heart, then they will produce good fruit. Jesus says and the Holy Spirit reinforces it …. look at their fruits.

God Love You Always

Bob Burford

PS: Please Pray for Cancer victims and their caregivers. Pray for the conversion of Russia and the salvation of the Ukrainian and Russian people and their soldiers. Pray for the Holy Land. Pray for peace!

About the Author

My name is Bob Burford and am married to my lovely bride, Anna. I am a cradle Catholic and worship at Church of Saint Mary's in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I am active in the Knights of Columbus and praying where the Lord wants both of us to serve in our new faith home. College degrees in Economics and Accounting. My wife and I have eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Love Pope Frances and proclaiming the Word of the Lord in my life! Please pray for all the Ukrainian people. Pray for their salvation and physical and emotional health.

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7 Comments

  1. Thank you Bob. I love fruit! And there is fruit out there if your looking for it. Every human being has some positive fruit we just have to look beyond the surface. Wonderful reflection sir. Peace be with you and the Catholic Moments you bring.

  2. Thank you Bob for your gently worded reflection.We need to show kindness to others in a big way.Agree to disagree, rather than name calling,throwing insults and degrading our fellow human beings.

  3. Thank you for the reflection Bob. I often need to pray for forgiveness and patience when I show displeasure with those I see as aggravating or irritating. I can see their fruit but some of it is rotten. The kicker is most times the “offender” has no idea their actions are upsetting to you. There is also very often a fine line with being accommodating and someone walking all over you.
    Praying for peace.

  4. There’s one more fruit of the Spirit that you left out. It’s self-control. That’s especially helpful when dealing with those with whom we disagree. We can use self-control to display kindness to those with whom our temper grows short!

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