Fr. Roger Landry on Acts of the Heart That Lead to Holiness

"In the Gospel, Jesus commented on the connection between the 'tree' of one's heart and the 'fruit' of deeds. 'A good tree,' he said, 'does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks' (Lk 6:43-45)

"Jesus' words about the cause-and-effect relationship between our thoughts, actions and character no doubt are part of the background for a famous aphorism often repeated by Blessed Mother Teresa: 'Plant a thought and reap a word; plant a word and reap an action; plant an action and reap a habit; plant a habit and reap a character; plant a character and reap a destiny.'"

In a recent commentary, Father Roger J. Landry (a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, MA, who works for the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations) reflected on some thoughts of the heart that lead to Christian and toward holiness.

To access Fr. Landry's complete essay, please visit:

Boston Pilot: Echoes: The Acts of the Heart That Lead to Holiness (11 AUG 15)