Mark of a Beast

Today’s Gospel Text: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit. 18 A sound tree cannot bear evil fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits. Matt 7:15-20

Reflection: Despite the warning we still keep getting deceived by the false prophet and we even begin to walk as false prophets in the footsteps of falsity.

Why do people go astray? Why do they get so easily deceived and get carried away?

And among those carried away it is like a chronic disease which gets passed on from one generation to another through genetic defect.

It is the deception which the fathers chose to walk in and which gets passed on from one generation to another.

In case of diseases it may not always be so, but in case of deception it is definitely so because we tend to create intuitions to legitimatize our actions.

You look at the world and the deception of institutions and philosophies which have got passed on from generation to generation even legitimizing falsity as truth.

Some may be extremely clothed in sheep’s clothing and some may be ferociously clothed, but nevertheless are clothed in them and that is what Jesus is warning us against.

Those who have Christ have his assistance too; for he has promised us the help of the Holy Spirit besides his word to see us through and even that is not enough if we are not sincere enough to respond to his guidance and promptings.

How easy is it for a simple man to discern the ones clothed in sheep's clothing and whose intent is clear enough – to deceive?

Another criterion that Jesus gives us, is to see their background, see where they come from; the source is very important, even if it contains the ray of that truth which is Christ.  (cfr. 16b)

After his return from the dessert, when Satan came to Jesus with the pure word of God, Jesus refused to accept it, even though it was the truth of his word.

Thus know the fruit, not only from its looks, but from its source; who is that brings it to you and how it is brought to you?

Prayer:  Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Ps 124:6-7

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