Fruit

 I have often been astonished by the fruitfulness of the earth, as I am now, looking out at the young plum tree in the back garden, one of whose branches is weighed down, bent over, with fruit. This week we are benefitting too from our own, and a neighbour's, tomatoes; 'while we are away and you are watering our garden' he said, 'help yourself to the tomatoes, otherwise they will just go to waste'.

A walk by the canal earlier in the week confirmed this fruitfulness in a non-domestic setting. Will anyone gather the elderberries, the hazel nuts, the blackberries, the cherry-like fruit of the service tree, all of which we passed in a short distance. 

This profligate fruitfulness has often struck me, and produces a sense of wonder each time I think of it. What was new this time was the tie-in with one of the lectionary readings for today, from James; that we are to be first fruits of God's new creation, That same profligacy, that same heedless race for fruit in massive abundance. 

Worth reflecting on; any fruit at all? sour fruit? diseased fruit? I suspect the 'end of term' report will say 'Could do better'. Note to self, and prayer to God- let there be fruit in me as per the maker's manual.