When we think about the word “integrity”, we may know that the root word is “intact”
So, a person of integrity will have his values and principle intact, like honesty, accountability, accepting responsibility and transparency.
All these are the foundations of a good character, and a person of good character will do what is the good and right and loving thing.
As what Jesus said in the gospel, “There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces good fruit. For every tree can be told by its own fruit”.
But integrity can be easily lost when there is dishonesty and immorality.
In the 1st reading, St. Paul warns against idolatry, which is the root of immorality.
While with integrity, a person is like a good tree that bears good fruit, with idolatry, a person becomes a tragedy.
Let us pray to the Lord that He will keep our faith intact and live our lives with integrity so that we will be good trees bearing good fruit for the Lord.