GOSPEL READING:
Matthew 7:15-2015 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit. 18 A sound tree cannot bear evil fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits.
Meditation: What do grapes, thorns, figs, and thistles
have to teach us about the kingdom of God? The imagery used by
Jesus would have been very familiar to his audience. A certain
thorn bush had berries which resembled grapes. And a certain
thistle had a flower, which at least from a distance, resembled
the fig. Isn't it the same today? What we "hear" might have a
resemblance of the truth, but, in fact, when you inspect it
closely, it's actually false. False prophets or teachers abound
today as much as they did in biblical times.
A sound mind accepts what is truly good and right and
rejects what is false and wrong
What's the test of a true or false teacher? Jesus connects
soundness with good fruit. Something is sound when it is free from
defect, decay, or disease and is healthy. Good fruit is the result
of sound living - living according to moral truth and upright
character. The prophet Isaiah warned against the dangers of
falsehood:Woe to those who
call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and
light for darkness (Isaiah 5:20). The fruits of falsehood
produce an easy religion which takes the iron out of religion, the
cross out of Christianity, and any teaching which eliminates the
hard sayings of Jesus, and which push the judgments of God into
the background and makes us think lightly of sin.
How do we avoid falsehood in our personal lives? By being true -
true to God, his word, and his grace. And that takes character!
Those who are true to God know that their strength lies not in
themselves but in God who supplies what we need. The fruit of a
disciple is marked by faith, hope and love, justice, prudence,
fortitude and temperance. Do you seek to cultivate good fruit in
your life and reject whatever produces bad fruit?
Lord Jesus, may I bear good fruit for your sake and reject whatever will produce evil fruit. Help me grow in faith, hope, love, sound judgment, justice, courage, and self control.
Psalm 119:33-37,40
33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to gain!
37 Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; and give me life in your ways.
40 Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Beware of false prophets, by John Chrysostom, 547-407 A.D.
"Jesus reminded them of what happened to their ancestors who were
attracted to false prophets. The same dangers are now faced as
those that occurred in earlier days. He reminded them of the
experience of their ancestors so that they would not despair at
the multitude of troubles that would mount up on this way that is
narrow and constricted. He reminded them that it is necessary to
walk in a way that goes contrary to the common opinion. One must
guard oneself not only against pigs and dogs but those other, more
elusive creatures: the wolves. They were going to face inward
anxieties as well as outward difficulties, but they are not to
despair. 'Therefore do not be thrown into confusion,' Jesus says
in effect, 'for nothing will happen that is new or strange.
Remember that the ancient adversary is forever introducing
deception as if true.'" (excerpt from THE
GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 23.6)
