A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (7:15-20)
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing,
but underneath are ravenous wolves.
By their fruits you will know them.
Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Just so, every good tree bears good fruit,
and a rotten tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit,
nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down
and thrown into the fire.
So by their fruits you will know them.”
REFLECTION: Some of us may be old enough to remember, Jim Jones, an American cult leader, that promised his followers a utopia, a paradise, in the jungles of Guyana, South America, after proclaiming himself, messiah of the Peoples Temple, a San Francisco based evangelist group. He ultimately led his followers into a mass suicide, which left more than 900 dead, and came to be known as the Jamestown Massacre, in 1978.
In today’s Gospel teaching, Jesus calls us to be vigilant, of those around us, not just for our sake, but for the well-being of our community. Let’s take this wisdom to heart, striving to foster an environment, where truth and integrity prevail. In our faith journey, as we seek to increase our relationship with God, it is crucial for one, to strive to live a life aligned with God’s truth. That’s not easy. One must be vigilant and cautious, recognizing that around us, we may be accompanied by folks, whom appearances may be deceiving. This teaching, to be vigilant and cautious, is not a new teaching from God. This is a teaching from God to us, since the Old Testament and the beginning of creation, in the story of Adam and Eve and the serpent. In the Bible, the Book of Genesis, introduces us to the serpent, the instrument that Satan used to deceive Eve and bring about the fall of man.
When we encounter situations that seem black and white, it can be easier to make the right decision; the choice is clearer. However, when we confront situations that come with subtle tactics, the right action may not be so simple. The wolf in sheep’s clothing, feeds us lies, sometimes closely related to the truth. This makes the falsehood harder to detect. Therefore, one must be careful and take to heart, the opening verse in today’s Gospel; “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves.”
ACTION FOR THE DAY: In an excerpt from the Gospel of Matthew 7:7, it says “…seek and you will find…” Therefore, in order to better discern your daily decisions, ground yourself in Scripture, much like you ground yourself in daily routines and goals. Dive deep, seek understanding, and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. In doing so, you are preparing to be a vigilant spiritual seeker, solid, within the noise of the world, as you strive to have a closer relationship with God.
AUDIO REFLECTION:
