"WHERE'S THE FRUIT?"

LaSheka "LB" Morris

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit."(Mt. 21:33-43)

In Matthew's Gospel, verses 21:33–43, Jesus shares the parable of the tenants and the vineyard. He describes how God built, protected, and established Israel, entrusting its care to leaders who were meant to steward His people faithfully. Instead, they ignored the prophets, mishandled those in their care, and ultimately persecuted the Son Himself. In verse 43, the commission Jesus poses echoes through the ages: Where is the fruit?

This parable applies far beyond its original audience. It speaks to anyone entrusted with something precious, whether people, resources, or knowledge. When hubris, ego, greed, or negligence take root, the fruit reveals the truth. The tenants were supposed to cultivate a harvest worthy of the Master. Instead, they harmed every messenger sent to them.

I could write about religious leaders, but today I want to speak about the world I know best. I am a nutrition educator. Every day, I help people, especially those living with chronic diseases, learn how to nourish their bodies in ways that support healing and long-term health. And with that in mind, did you know October is Health Literacy Month? It’s meant to highlight the importance of clear, accurate, accessible health communication.

Yet in recent years, clear communication has become harder to find and trust. The current administration’s health leadership has lacked the scientific expertise and credentialed professionals needed to guide a nation. As a result, health information has become confusing, inconsistent, and stripped of the accurate scientific rigor people deserve. Nutrition has always had its controversies, but for most of my seven years in practice, global expert guidance has been steady, predictable, and honestly pretty boring. That’s a good thing; boring means safe.

But this past summer alone, many people were harmed by negligence from those responsible for keeping even the simplest nutrient-dense foods safe. The American people should be able to trust the agencies tasked with protecting public health. Yet like the tenants in the parable, those currently in charge have dismissed credentialed scientists, ignored trusted health associations, relaxed basic safety standards, and in doing so, have harmed the very people they were meant to serve.

As a “professional vegetable pusher,” this has made my already difficult job even harder. We live in a society obsessed with aesthetics, vanity, ever-changing nutrition trends, an unregulated supplement industry, and a constant merry-go-round of exaggerated food fads. People shouldn’t be afraid of berries and salad. God gave us everything we need, including nutrient-dense foods found in nature.

Plant foods like berries, greens, and legumes contain over 24,000 phytonutrients. These are natural bioactive compounds that support immune function, reduce inflammation, and help protect against disease. They’re not “essential” nutrients like vitamins or minerals, but they play powerful roles in antioxidant activity, antimicrobial defense, and overall health.

Many phytonutrients act as antioxidants, substances that neutralize free radicals, unstable molecules that damage cells, DNA, and tissues. Antioxidants help protect the body from oxidative stress, which is linked to chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke. God truly gave us a fruitful and plentiful earth filled with protective foods.

Those entrusted with public health were given the sacred responsibility of ensuring His people have access to accurate information and safe, nourishing food. Unfortunately, like the tenants, many have allowed greed, classism, and hubris to corrupt their stewardship. Furthermore, we see the fruit of that failure in the fear, confusion, lack of trust, and lack of access people now face. The fruit should be flourishing health, reliable information, and safe, nutrient-dense foods available to all.

So where is the hope?

The hope is in those of us still committed to informing God’s people with lifesaving, science-backed truth no matter how difficult the climate becomes. The hope is found in continuing to get creative, stay persistent, and defiantly bold in helping people navigate the health landmines around them. Above all, the hope is in the greatest protection we have: pleading the Blood of Christ over our food, our bodies, and our communities. His covering can destroy even the most dangerous infiltrators and turn what was meant for harm into nourishment and strength.

May we be faithful tenants. May our fruit reflect the One who entrusted us with the vineyard. Amen.

Author: LaSheka “LB” Morris is a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Nutrition Educator, and owner of LBM Health Consulting, serving individuals with chronic diseases and ministry leaders integrating health and faith. She previously worked in state and local government and holds a BA in Political Science and an MS in Nutrition, with a focus on inflammation care. She is also SMART-trained through Harvard’s Stress Management and Emotional Regulation Program. LB and her family attend Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Atlanta, Ga, where she chairs the Health Promotions Ministry. She also serves on the AUSCP Women’s Working Group and brings 25 years of Catholic ministry experience.