The divine mandate for the Church is unequivocal, resonating through the ages from the very words of our Lord: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Mt 28:18-20)
This foundational imperative is inextricably linked to the very purpose of our existence as His followers: “I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” (John 15:16) “Every one bearing fruit, He prunes it that it may bear more fruit.” (John 15:2) “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one abiding in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit. For apart from Me you are able to do nothing.” (John 15:5)
From these profound scriptural truths, two fundamental aspects emerge that shape our understanding of Christian vocation: First, the absolute necessity to “go and make disciples of all nations” and to “bear fruit.” Second, the equally absolute declaration that “apart from Me you are able to do nothing.”
Indeed, the call to evangelise and to bear fruit is non-negotiable; to neglect it would be to fail in our Christian vocation. Yet, the paramount question that must animate our theological reflection and pastoral strategy is not whether we must bear fruit, but how can we bear lasting fruit, and further, how can we “bear more fruit” in a manner truly proportionate to the divine intention?
The Art of Fruitfulness: Lessons from the Mystics
The profound wisdom concerning the art of bearing fruit lies not merely in outward activity but in the depths of the spiritual journey. It is to the mystics, those masters of interior life, that we must turn for guidance. They alone have truly apprehended the essence of spiritual growth, the development of charity within us, its indispensable conditions, and its transformative effects. Their universal witness proclaims that the purity of acts of charity directly correlates with their fruitfulness. In this sense, they teach us with unwavering conviction that union with Christ is not an optional pursuit for those who seek to serve Him; on the contrary, it is the sine qua non, the absolute precondition, for effective service and true fruitfulness. Hence, the teaching on, and the diligent pursuit of, union with Christ stands as a total priority. As our Lord Himself assures us, “Seek first the kingdom of God and all the rest will be given to you for free.” This profound insight underscores that our primary investment must be in the interior life, for we cannot give what we do not possess.
A Masterpiece of Spiritual Discernment: Blessed Marie-Eugene of the Child Jesus
To illuminate this principle with concrete application, we turn to the profound insights of Blessed Marie-Eugene of the Child Jesus (1894-1967), a Carmelite friar whose monumental two-volume work, “I Want to See God” and “I Am Daughter of the Church,” constitutes a comprehensive compendium of Carmelite spirituality, a profound commentary on St. Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle. One of his concluding chapters in the second volume, “The apostolate and the growth of love,” stands as a veritable masterpiece demanding the attention of every Church leader.
Having meticulously presented the entire journey of spiritual growth through the lens of the Carmelite Doctors, Blessed Marie-Eugene embarks on a penetrating analysis of the intrinsic relationship between apostolate and the growth of love, meticulously following each stage of spiritual ascent described by St. Teresa. This study is a critical milestone, an eye-opener, precisely because it demonstrates with undeniable clarity that the fecundity and fruitfulness of any apostolate or ministry are intimately, even causally, related to the holiness and interior union of the person. The more profoundly one is united to Jesus, the more truly it is Jesus Himself who acts in and through that person, resulting in fruits of an entirely different, divine efficacy. Who, in their service of the Lord, does not yearn for such authentic fecundity? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council itself affirmed this truth, noting that the greater the charity, the greater the fruits.
Blessed Marie-Eugene’s analysis reveals a nuanced progression. It is typically only in the Fifth Mansions, corresponding to the Union of Will, where the senses are purified and the will begins to experience habitual divine influence, that God initiates the use of the soul for apostolate. Yet, crucially, Blessed Marie-Eugene highlights the continued possibility of spiritual regressions, even likening them to the tragic falls of Judas or Saul, due to the devil’s intensified attacks at this stage. The experience in this Mansion often remains obscure, leaving the soul in a state of spiritual restlessness. Prudence, therefore, remains paramount, as the soul, despite its significant progress, is still vulnerable and must assiduously avoid any semblance of false security. These are, in essence, “last battles” where the risk of losing all that has been gained remains disconcertingly high.
It is in the elevated spheres of the Sixth and Seventh Mansions—the “Spiritual Betrothal” and the “Transforming Union,” respectively—that Blessed Marie-Eugene posits the soul reaches the capacity for “perfect apostolate.” These are the summits of spiritual life where love is consummately transforming, unifying, and stably established. The person, truly “becomes God by participation” (see St. John of the Cross Spiritual Canticle the last five stanzas), fully docile to and profoundly absorbed by divine love. At this sublime level, apostolate becomes incredibly fruitful, with actions bearing an intrinsic divine efficacy. The Saints, at this pinnacle, become genuinely “possessed by God,” their activity transcending the limitations of time and space, contributing immeasurably to the Church’s enduring growth across centuries. This divine possession elevates and glorifies the very personality of the apostle; they become “friends” of God, collaborating with Him in a profound, mutual relationship that defies mere human comprehension. The Holy Spirit, in an exquisite divine condescension, hides Himself under human traits, thereby allowing the saint’s unique gifts, charisms, and even genius to shine forth, forming the “giants” that have shaped every epoch of salvation history (e.g., St. Benedict, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Teresa of Avila). The entirety of their work is ultimately directed toward the building up of the Church, the “Spouse who comes up from the desert,” for which these saints dedicate themselves until the consummation of all things.
In essence, this seminal chapter of Blessed Marie-Eugene’s work compellingly argues that true and lasting apostolic fruitfulness is not primarily a matter of human zeal, strategic planning, or even prodigious effort alone. Rather, it is a direct outpouring of a soul’s deep, transformative, and purifying union with God, meticulously cultivated through profound prayer, rigorous spiritual discipline, and docile submission to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Counting the Cost: A Call for Profound Examination
For this reason, a serious and profound examination of conscience is urgently needed within the Church concerning our plans, our means, and our goals in evangelisation. Our Lord’s parable provides a stark warning:
“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build, and was not able to finish.’” (Luke 14:28-30)
If the ultimate goal and the fundamental claim of the Church is to remind every person that the real goal is holiness and union with God, then it becomes our solemn duty to measure our chosen means against this supremely elevated goal (the high “tower”). While it is undeniably the Lord who has established this goal, not us, He has also, throughout twenty centuries of Christian experience, provided us with the necessary means. Through the countless masters and doctors He has sent, He has clearly shown us how to form ourselves spiritually. If this invaluable treasure of spiritual wisdom lies buried or unheeded, we are without excuse. We possess it; we simply need to unearth it. Not seeking this treasure is simply committing a serious offence/sin!
It is imperative that we “press pause,” that we “sit down,” and that we “count the cost” to ascertain if our current efforts and methodologies are truly commensurate with our ambitions—or, more precisely, if they are aligned with God’s magnificent plan. We must be prepared for God’s plan, which necessitates being at the level of God’s plan. This requires us to unearth the spiritual treasures He has bequeathed to us, to sit down and diligently study them, to learn the indispensable art of spiritual discernment, and then to offer them generously to the world.
The profound truth of interior fruitfulness is echoed by St. John of the Cross, who unequivocally states: “An act of pure love is more precious in the eyes of God and the soul, and more profitable to the Church, than all other good works together, though it may seem as if nothing were done” (Spiritual Canticle 29,2). St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, the Little Flower, understood this profound reality intimately and exercised herself from her youth in acts of love. God revealed to her the astounding development of the baptismal priesthood within her, showing her how, by uniting herself perfectly to Jesus, she could exert an influence throughout the entire Church and bear immense fruit (see Story of the Soul, Manuscript C toward the end). It is true that these fruits were not directly visible in external activity, yet they were profoundly real and eternally efficacious. This is precisely why the Church, in her profound wisdom, proclaimed her Patron of the Missions—demonstrating that a Carmelite nun, enclosed within four walls, precisely because she was united to Jesus and her heart burned with love, could effect true, invisible ripple effects through each act of love, transcending all barriers of distance between herself and the souls she touched.
Reassessing Our Efforts for Lasting Fruit
We constantly hear urgent calls for “Evangelising,” for a “new Evangelisation,” and for “Making Disciples.” These are noble and necessary aspirations. However, we must candidly ask ourselves: Are we truly employing the real means to bear real fruits—fruits that will endure into eternal life? Are our results proportionate to our immense efforts and undertakings? Or are our zealous efforts merely sporadic, failing to yield the deep, lasting impact that God desires?
Genuine spiritual growth, which is the wellspring of true fruitfulness, flows ultimately from authentic charity towards our neighbour, rooted in charity towards God. St. Teresa of Avila masterfully explains and demonstrates this perfect love of neighbour, as does St. Thérèse. Yet, it is vital to remember that spiritual growth is not a selfish endeavour, nor is it a luxury reserved for a select few. It is not optional; it is fundamental for every Christian. We must cultivate the humility to acknowledge that despite all our undertakings, our collective understanding and systematic implementation of spiritual growth within the Church may still reside in a “grey area.” Therefore, it is of paramount importance to: 1) deepen our understanding of authentic spiritual growth and learn to discern its presence; and 2) develop and implement pathways to “ensure steady growth” in a more systematic and intentional way throughout the Church.
Conclusion: Putting the Horse Before the Cart
A final word of exhortation: the purity of our response—that is, our willingness to put Christ above everything else, to truly “seek first the kingdom of God”—will provide us with everything we need for genuine fruitfulness. Let us pause, reflect deeply, and with profound wisdom, ensure that we are indeed putting the horse before the cart. The science of spiritual formation, honed over two millennia of profound Christian experience, must be our unerring guide. For only through this sacred wisdom can we be shown the path to true transformation, be helped to attain it, and ultimately, be led to bear fruits in God’s own way.