How to Become a Tree Bearing Good Fruit In Challenging Times

Today’s reflection is by Bondings 2.0 contributor Phoebe Carstens.

Today’s liturgical readings for the Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time can be found here.

“A good tree does not bear rotten fruit,
nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.
For every tree is known by its own fruit.” -Luke 6:43-44

What does it mean to be known by our fruit?

In recent weeks, I have spent some time listening to the personal stories of Christian parents of LGBTQ+ children. So many speak of anger, hopelessness, frustration, and overwhelming fear when they consider the many and mounting barriers and obstacles to their queer children, friends, and other family members living full and safe lives in America. I have likewise heard, and resonate with, the fear and pain of LGBTQ+ folks who seem to encounter new policies, proposals, and statements that seek to deny our identity, existence, dignity, and safety every day.

I recall a particular concern that I have heard more and more often lately from the parents and allies I have spoken to: is it even safe to still openly be an ally? If I am too vocal about my advocacy for LGBTQ+ people, could that put meand those that I care about in danger? I want to be a safe person for LGBTQ+ people, but is it safe to advertise myself as such? Is it safe to be known by my fruit?

All of these are valid concerns. Just as every LGBTQ+ individual must regularly weigh the risks and benefits of disclosure with personal safety, so too do our allies now face similar questions. Tangible, concrete signs of solidarity, like Pride pins, rainbow flags, and putting your pronouns in your email signature, are now, in some cases, punishable offenses. Advertising a public support group meeting for LGBTQ+ folks and allies can generate hate and protest. Being outspoken on social media can prompt threats. Are these the good fruits of love and solidarity?  

There are no absolute answers to these questions of safety and risk, hiddenness and outspokenness—just as there is no absolute one way to being a disciple, no single way to faithfully follow Christ. Each person must decide, through prayerful discernment, how God is calling them to live out their baptismal call towards love, justice, and mercy. Each person, through careful discernment, must determine how God is calling them to accompany and support the LGBTQ+ community or live authentically as an LGBTQ+ person. The fruits of our discipleship may look very different, but as we hear in today’s reading from the Gospel of Luke, but despite the diversity of our responses, one thing is true:  “…every tree is known by its own fruit.”  

This lesson is not always easy to accept, and in some cases can be quite intimidating. The evangelist reminds us, “A good person out of the store of goodness in [their] heart produces good,” and we know that the store of goodness within us has been planted and nurtured by the ultimate Goodness which is God. We know that the still, small voice of God within us draws us into that goodness. But we also know that choosing to tap into that goodness can be difficult, bringing forth the fruits of mercy and justice can be challenging, and seeing our fruits questioned, dismissed, and rejected can be deeply painful. I hear echoes of these difficulties in the worries of the parents with whom I minister. I sense a deep desire to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community—to bring these good fruits out into the light of day— yet also a growing fear and temptation to distance oneself from public support.

Today’s readings prompt reflection upon the bravery needed to be known by one’s fruit in an environment that seemingly seeks to squash that bounty. The prophet Sirach reminds us in the first reading, “As the test of what the potter molds is in the furnace, so in tribulation is the test of the just.” In these times of trials such as these days, our convictions are put to the test. Though our fruits of love, mercy, and justice may not be received by others, indeed by them we will be known.

For many LGBTQ+ Catholics and our allies, our advocacy efforts stem from a deep conviction that God has called us to this work. We long to be recognized and known by our fruits, because we believe that God has prepared the soil, planted the seeds, nurtured our growth, and called forth the fruit. God’s actions, however, do not take away the dangers we may face or the fear we may experience. Yet these actions do ground us in something greater. As Paul reminds us in the first letter to the Corinthians, the second reading for today, “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

To be known by our fruit, to proclaim that we do what we do and who we are for the sake of God, can be frightening and feel risky. Yet we know that because God is at the core of our work and our identities, we do not do so in vain. My hope is that all those who are fearful and questioning whether they ought to continue to be outspoken advocates for their LGBTQ+ loved ones may draw inspiration from Paul’s words and may be firm, steadfast, and devoted, unafraid to bring forth the fruits of justice and love and unafraid to be known by them.