The Most Important Job: Bear Fruit

Read the Homily

When we go to work there are typically three types of people there. First, there are the bosses. They think they know everything, they micromanage, and like to take all of the credit for success. Next, you have the whiners who complain and they always have a reason not to like the boss, the job, and the other co-workers. Finally, you have happy people. They are the ones at work who love their job, their boss, and the people who work with them. They are grateful and show it by their generosity. So here is my question. Which of the three do you prefer at the job?

My father is 89 years old and works as a general contractor. He does not have to work. He can retire because he does not need the money. The reason he works is that he enjoys it. One of his clients is a multi-millionaire. He hires Dad because, as he puts it, “He has over sixty-five years of experience.” Once he had to work at a different job for two weeks. When he came back, the multimillionaire’s crew said to him, “Boy, did we miss you!” Dad asked, “Why?” “Because the boss always buys the coffee and donuts when you are here.” Dad called me and asked me why I thought that was so. I thought about it and I think I figured it out. The bossy people do not appreciate their boss because they think they know more. The whiners, of course, do not like anyone. Yet, everyone likes to be liked so I told my father that you like him, appreciate his employment, and are grateful for the opportunity. You put him in a good mood.

In the world, there are three types of people. You have bosses, whiners, and happy people. That is us. God defines Christians as joy-filled. God told us to be fruitful. I really like the analogy of fruitful vine. God did not tell us to produce kale. It has dry, it has no taste, and it is hard to chew. He told us to bear fruit. Fruit is sweet, it hydrates, and it is delicious. It is fun food. In other words, people benefit from the way we live our lives.

One night I walked into the TV room and some of the guys were watching a cooking competition on the food network. There was a guy that really wanted to win. He was running from one end of the kitchen to the other grabbing ingredients and adding to his skillets. The chef had food inside the stove cooking; four skillets were going at the same time on the stovetop. He was throwing all kinds of stuff in the blender for his sauce. He plated and his steak had perfect diamond grill marks and creamy, buttery mashed potatoes with a rich-looking sauce. Surely, I thought, this guy is going to win. He lost. He forgot to put salt on the food. The judges asked him. “Did you forget the seasoning?” He put his head down and said “Yes.” Did he forget to use salt? Are you kidding? Salt is the cheapest thing in the kitchen. It is the easiest thing to use. You just pitch or shake. You do not even have to measure. When Christ says that we are the salt of the earth, it is a little insulting, don’t you think? Can’t I be a lobster tail or a la mode or maybe a hot chili pepper? Yes, salt is cheap and easy, but without it, everything is bland. When we are the salt of the earth, it means we bring out the best in everything.

There are three types of people in the world. Which one of the three best describes me?