28 June, 2023 | Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr

 Gospel Mt 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."

Reflections

Perhaps we have never needed the warning about false prophets as much as we do today, when the internet and social media so often presents us with many untruths. 

Our world sometimes can be so confusing, making so many promises of happiness and well-being, yet so full of suffering and loneliness. We need to discern, to realize there are not only false prophets, who bear fruit that is not good, but also good prophets whose message is true because it produces good fruit.

As I draw close to Jesus in prayer, I realize that he is the source of truth and meaning.