Hungry Wolves

Scripture/Bible: "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:  How many of us can confidently say that they can identify a false prophet from a true one?

If you think this question is neither worth pondering nor answering then you are in for trouble? Jesus compares these false prophets, in our midst, to ravenous wolves and that too coming in deceptive form, in sheep’s clothing. 

One of the qualities outlined by Jesus is their hungry nature, as one being ravenous.  It definitely doesn’t mean that they are going to eat us, but rather it definitely means that they are a hungry lot.

What do they hunger for or what is the ravenous nature that we need to be careful about?

Is it not their deep hunger for self glory, increased membership in their pet projects,agenda's and programmes for human emancipation, at any cost, even at the cost of inducing fear or if in authority then imposing their ideologies, increased hunger for attention and publicity, wanting to create a name for themselves at the cost of compromising on the truth and the Gospel of Christ.

Any form of false indoctrination, teaching of erroneous doctrine and instilling a false kind of fear, working through deception and ultimately seeking an increase in their following through cleverly devised and secure plans.

It means a deceptive way of going about, by coming in sheep’s clothing.

They may even hunt in packs and have a common vision, goal and unity which almost camouflage the gospel spirit of unity, love, peace and brotherhood.  They have an insidious plan with a never satisfying appetite and may give the impression that they are in the service of God.

Of such wolves the Lord says this: “Her princes in the midst of her are like wolves tearing the prey, shedding blood, destroying lives to get dishonest gain.” Ezek 22:27

Prayer: “deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men. For, lo, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men band themselves against me. Ps 59:2-3

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Beware

Scripture/Bible: And in his teaching he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes, and to have salutations in the market places 39 and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation." 41 And he sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him, and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living." Mark 12:38-44

Reflection:  “Beware of dogs”, it means; be careful and don’t risk you life, it is a warning, an explicit one, so that your life is not in jeopardy.

But if we correlate the Dog and the scribe then there seems to be a vast difference, yet what is for sure a meaningful application to an animal which doesn’t care who the person before it bites and how it bites, cannot be so easily applied for the Scribes.

Unlike a dog what harm can a Scribe do, even in the things that Jesus mentions about them is more a description to be careful about, except that they devour widow’s houses. In that case the widows have to be careful. It would have been apt to say: “Beware of the Scribes you widows.”

Yet Christ’s words cannot be taken lightly. We human beings are frail and we can so easily get bitten by the bug of new fashion or modern trends irrespective if we are widows or not. It is perhaps OK for the ones who have made an explicit choice to be carried away by the hedonistic world and are into the latest and branded because for them to have and possess is to have life.

But the worst is when the vicious poisonous fangs comes to you in the garb of innocuous spirituality. As in the case of the so called spiritual scribes, who on account of their learning and writing skills were masters of the faith, like the theologians, clergy and those in high offices today, then one better be careful. 

Our generations too offers many such innocuous spirituality's like the New Age types which many gullible Catholics, including Bishops, theologians, priests and nuns have got into and lead others also into it and many in authority are silent about it.   

Do they wear the garment of righteousness which Christ gives and seek his glory and do they project it, if not then beware not as to shun Christ but to wear what the righteous Lord provides for those who turn to him. 

Prayer: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isa 61:10

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us