Sex & Bearing Fruit
There was an article on Mother Angelica in the latest Crisis magazine which included a lot of talk about suffering, for Mother A has seen more than her fair share. But she insisted that the author of the piece emphasize love not suffering. "It's love that bears fruit!" she said.
I was thinking about that in connection with marital fruit. The other day a co-worker to whom I am close is suddenly pregnant again, just a few months after having her first. It was a shock because the first child took Herculean efforts. But this time apparently Hercules wasn't required. The "suffering" phase was over, the pressure off, the utilitarian aspect removed...A similar thing happened to my aunt and uncle. Desperate to have children, they tried for nine long frustrating years. They finally gave up and adopted. You know what happened next. She got pregnant.
Spiritual fruit seems similarly acquired. "Let go, let God" is a cliche but a truism; how can we relax but in Him? A cheerful giver bears more fruit than a straining, grim one, though reluctant giving is better than no giving at all.
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