2 Kgs 22:8-13; 23:1-3
Psalm 119:33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40
Mt:7:15-20 Full Readings
Saint Thomas More, Saint John Fisher
You Shall Know Them By Their Fruits
Brethren, the fundamental moral principle is, "Do Good, Avoid evil." This principle covers every aspect of life including our Christianity. All Jesus teachings and commandments summarised by love are all based on doing good, and avoiding evil. And so everyone is supposed to always aim at doing good and avoid any sort of evil. Jesus today emphasises on the prophets and all religious ministers to put doing good at the front and after gives us the principle of knowing if one is doing good or he or she is pretending to be a wolf in a sheep's skin. This way is that we shall know them by their fruits. Jesus said this because he knew many people will come in his name who will be false prophets and these should not lead us astray.
It’s important to be aware of the very simple fact that “false prophets” do exist and we cannot deny this. A false prophet is anyone who actively misleads another under the guise of doing good; one is preaching against or disguises doing good. Some may do this unknowingly, but normally the one who acts as a wolf in sheep’s clothing does so out of the intention of some form of selfish gain. On our part as Christians, a false prophet is the one preaching an easy religion, a religion with a cross, without sacrifice, without commitment, a religion that tends to lead us to a wider road not a narrow gate where eternal life is. Consequently, even us, who are looking for such an easy religion, we are false believers and prophets in one way or the other. The selfish gain by which they are motivated could be many things, but the basic principle of selfishness usually applies; selfish gains is always underlying reason behind false prophecy. In this case, it is longer the proclamation of the gospel of the Lord but fulfilment of selfish interests.
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. The catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that those who profess right beliefs but do not live out the Gospel message do not exhibit a true picture of Christ” (CCC 2005). It is possible that we can profess right faith, believe in and preach all teachings of charity and love and of doing good but we do not practice them, there we are like wolves in sheep's skin and surely our fruits will tell.
How do we become true prophets? Firstly, 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 and above all according to the gospel values. So in all that we do, let us always try to put into practice of what we preach and believe. Being true to God, to his word, and to his grace makes us produce good fruits. 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. We cannot do this without the help of the Holy Spirit, and always let us listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our lives and let Him guide us in discerning who is a true and a false prophet as well as in what we are to do to become true prophets.
Secondly, as the moral principle requires, we always have to listen to our conscience. Our conscience will never deceive us. Deep in ourselves there is always a voice telling us to do good and avoid evil but due to our stubborn hearts, minds and will we defy it. Listening to our conscience will always help us to choose to do good and avoid evil. The saints of today, St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher were martyred for their opposition to the divorce of King Henry VIII of England and the king’s claim to be the supreme head of the Church in England. Their fidelity to their consciences would not allow them to accept the king’s claim. These men “show us what faithful citizenship (and indeed being a prophet) looks like. They loved and served their country. In the moments just before his execution, More is said to have stated, ‘I die the King’s good servant, but God’s first’… These men gave their lives for the freedom of the Church and for freedom of conscience” (USCCB website). These put God first but also followed their consciences to become true prophets. Do you seek to cultivate good fruit in your life and reject whatever produces bad fruit?
Reflect, today, upon these images Jesus presents. Do you see clearly both the good and bad fruit around you? Is your life helping to foster the lies of the evil one or the truth and love of God? Look at the fruit your life bears, as well as the fruit within our world, in an objective way, comparing it to the clear and unambiguous teachings of Jesus. Seek out that good fruit with all your heart and do all you can to bring it forth, no matter the cost, and you will not only save your soul, you will also help feed others with the good fruit of Heaven.
Let us Pray
Lord, false prophets abound, and their fruit seems attractive and satisfying. Protect me and those I love from consuming bad fruit. May your presence be so powerful within me that I cannot help but bear good fruit for your glory. Amen
Be blessed
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