Eighteenth Sunday of Pentecost

A Basket of Summer Fruit

Amos 8: 1 - 6

John 15: 16 - 17

Ephesians 5: 9

Galatians 5: 22 - 23

James 3: 17

Amos was a shepherd who was called by God to become a prophet. He spoke against the bad behavior of the Jewish people of his day, but he looked forward to a time when God would be reconciled to all his people.

One of his recurring images was the basket of summer fruit, which quickly rot or turn moldy. Jesus may have been referring to Amos' imagery when he calls us to be lasting fruit in John 15.

This may be a good time to open the discussion on the fruits of the Holy Spirit listed in Galatians and Ephesians. And we may look as James' list of the gifts from the wisdom from above as well.

1. What are some summer fruits?

[Summer fruits include strawberries, blueberries, cherries, raspberries and most other berries.]

2. What are some winter fruits?

[Winter fruits include apples, grapefruit, kumquats, tangerines, and oranges.]

3. What does Jesus ask us to do in John 15?

[Jesus asks us to bear lasting fruit.]

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