Tuesday of the 17th week “B" -- July 30, 2002
Jeremiah 14:17-22; Matt 13:35-43
Homily
In early monastic literature, especially Pachômienne literature, we find a conception of the ascetic life that undoubtedly finds its inspiration in the Gospel we have just read. According to this view, God sowed all the fruits of the Spirit in us at the moment of our birth. He created us in His own image and, according to the beautiful figure in the Book of Genesis, put His own Breath of Life within us. But the Enemy or Devil is always on the lookout to snatch away these fruits of the Spirit and sow in their place the fruits of evil. The fruits of the Spirit are virtues, and the fruits of evil are vices.