Gospel 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 Jesus is aware that there are many people out there claiming to speak the truth of God, and he tries to make it clear that there is a way to determine whether a true prophet is there or a false prophet. And it's because of the way in which they teach. Does it have authority? Is it coming because they think they can get something back from you if they say it?
Or are they saying it because they deeply believe in it and want deeply to change you and bring you into life? A false prophet can be felt and sensed by simply feeling what he is offering. The issue is whether it is life giving or if it leads to darkness.
Closing Prayer Father, we pray for discernment. The gift that you give us to sense and to feel what is truly for us. Bless us with wisdom. And we ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.