Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time (I)

 Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (23^rd June, 2021) on the Gospel

 

Gen 15:1-12.17-18;

Ps 104:1-4.6-9. (R. v.8);

Matt 7:15-20.

Topic: True definition.

Jesus warned in today’s gospel,

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.... every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruits.

Saint John also cautioned,

Beloved, do not believe every spirit.... By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God (1Jn 4:1-3a).

However, confessing Jesus Christ is not an action of the lips alone but of the whole person, cf. Is 29:13-14; Matt 15:8; Mk 7:6. It is living “a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col 1:10). Real confessing Jesus is in action, cf. Lk 3:8. 6:46; Matt 3:8.

Let no one be deceived with anything because “even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2Cor 11:14). Children of God are light and “the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true” (Eph 5:9). It must possess the three qualities.

Finally, as you watch for others’ fruits, do not forget to bear yours because every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire, cf. Matt 3:10; Lk 3:9.

Bible Reading: 1Jn 4:1-6.

Thought for today: Bear fruits that are good, right, and true.

Let us pray: Lord, help us discern spirits correctly and bear good fruits – Amen.

For more homilies (reflections):

Visit our website: www.thepulpitonline.com

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline

Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313

Send us Email: thepulpitonline@gmail.com

 

To Contact and/or to support this ministry:

Tel: +234 813 305 0302

       Email: thepulpitonline@gmail.com

May God bless you all+