“I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who produces fruit.”

It’s a strong line. I’m drawn to the controversial, almost offensive parts of the Gospel, because Jesus challenges us—but never in the sense of: “You’re awful. You’re so bad.” That’s not the point. The challenge is an invitation.

I was just at confession with Fr. Helmut, and it brought something home for me: there are places in us where the Lord is basically saying, “If you open up more, I can give you more. If you don’t open up, I can’t.” That’s the amazing—and serious—part of human freedom.

And that’s why this line hits. When Jesus challenges us, he’s pointing to the places in our hearts and lives that we still haven’t opened. The places where we quietly tell him: “I’ll take care of that. Don’t worry. You can help me once in a while when I need it, but I’m good.”

Then he says it: the kingdom will be given to people who produce fruit.

So what is fruit?

In ministry, that’s not a small question. If fruit is just numbers, we’re all in trouble. If fruit is that everything is easy, we’re also in trouble. If fruit is constant visible success, we have a problem—because Jesus didn’t have huge numbers, and it was tough for him, too.

But he does want fruit. He calls us to bear fruit.

So how do we discern whether we’re being fruitful?

And if we aren’t, the response isn’t to start whipping ourselves. It’s to ask: “Lord, what do you want to change? How can I respond? Where do you want in?” Because the Lord can bear more fruit in my life and in my ministry—but only if I let him into the parts I keep protected.

That makes Lent very practical.

It’s a season to ask—in a good way—Lord, where are you leading me? Where do you want more fruit?

Maybe more fruit in prayer. Maybe more fruit in rest. Maybe more fruit in relationships. Maybe more fruit in the renewal of the mind. But what does that fruit actually look like in my real life?

That’s something beautiful about Lent: God takes our freedom seriously. It’s not “everything just happens.” Yes, the Lord is in everything—but I can say yes. I can choose to give him more space. I can let him bear more fruit.

Not because everything is a disaster. Not because we’re obsessed with “more.” Simply because the Lord is inviting us to receive.

So yes, that can be through what we’re doing as a community: more prayer, making an effort for more adoration—even if Fr. Mark isn’t there yet, according to Fr. Helmut. It can be more personal prayer. A specific sacrifice. Those are real ways of opening up.

But it also comes down to the personal spaces: what does it look like for me? What does it look like for you?

Because Christ wants fruit—abundant fruit. Not a God of scarcity. Not smallness. Abundance.

And not necessarily abundance in the sense of huge numbers. But abundance in what’s real: depth, fidelity, freedom, love, and a heart that’s open.

Lord, what are you doing? What spaces can I open? How can I give you more opportunity to bear fruit in me—and with me?