“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing,
matthew 7:15
but underneath are ravenous wolves.”
Reflection
Jesus tells the disciples to beware of false prophets who appear to be sheep but are actually wolves. He tells them that good trees bear good fruit, while bad trees can only bear bad fruit. By someone’s fruits will they be known.
There are still many false prophets today. They appear in the forms of money, success, fame, music, careers, social media, and much more. They all proclaim a gospel of happiness, a life with pleasure and comfort that never grows old. Yet it is clear from society that many of these things do not deliver on their promises – they are false prophets.
People end up with destructive habits and lifestyles when they follow what society promises will satisfy you – just look at the many celebrities, influential individuals, and even people you know, who, rather than being happy and carefree, are depressed and weighed down by the consequences of their actions. Satan’s temptations always look good at the onset, but quickly give way to unhappiness and sin.
Jesus instructs us to beware of these false prophets. By their fruits, we will know them. A good thing will bear good fruit. Following Christ and living by his teachings always bears good fruit. He doesn’t promise an easy life, but true joy and peace come from him alone. Jesus’ ways take us to heaven; the world’s ways take us to hell. Who will you follow?
Saint of the Day
St. Maximus of Turin: died 5th century AD
“For the Christian who does not possess the world possesses the Savior utterly. Christ’s burial place, then, is promised to travelers so that the one who preserves himself from fleshly vices like a traveler and stranger may merit Christ’s rest…. Baptism, therefore, is Christ’s burial place for us, in which we die to sins, are buried to evil deeds, and are restored to a renewed infancy.”
The Sermons of St. Maximus of Turin, Sermon 59
The Healing Word 