Reading
Matthew 7:15-20
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Comment
The disciples of Jesus who claimed to speak in the name of God were called prophets (cfr. Mt 10,41; 23,34). As in the Old Testament, alongside the true prophets, however, there are false ones: the difference lies in the quality of their "fruits" (v. 16), that is, in the goodness or wickedness of their actions.
The false prophets are those who propose the broad way, which leads to perdition (Mt 7:13-14). Jesus teaches that not all those who claim to be part of the community of believers are such. Some are like wolves among sheep, houses that appear similar but have different foundations (Mt 7:21-27), weeds in the midst of the wheat (Mt 13:24), foolish virgins among the wise (Mt 25:1-13), wicked servants among the good (Mt 25: 14-30).
The parameter for judging the prophets and their fruits is the Scripture. No form of hierarchy in the Church can place itself above its authority.
Good fruits are the testimony of a living and effective faith. As the apostle James admonishes "someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds" (Jas 2:18).
But if good works are an expression of faith, this requires patience to be cultivated, just like a tree "which will bear fruit in its time" (Ps 1:3). Therefore, we are not afraid of the test of winter, the necessary pruning to improve growth; we must await with hope, in front of the still bare branches, the appearance of the first buds; we will be able to taste and share the fruits when they have reached full maturity.
Prayer
O Lord, come and visit your Church, the tree that your right hand has planted; vivify it with your grace and teach us to take care of it. Amen.
- Rev. Dr. Luca Vona
