Beware of false prophets

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

In today’s Gospel (Matthew 7:15-20), Jesus provides a strong warning regarding our spiritual direction, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” St. John Chrysostom says that a false profit is someone who appears to be virtuous but in fact is not, and thereby misleads other into evil. A person who truly preaches the Word of God sows faith, hope, and love where a false profit sows division, separation, hatred, resentment, pride, and sensuality (Galatians 5:16-25). Therefore, one who tries to separate us from the teaching of the Church and the true Word of God is considered a false profit. Jesus also goes on to indicate that anyone who purposefully deceives us to lead us away from His teachings is destined to eternal damnation. St. Peter warns that “in times past there were false profits and among you today there are also false teachers” (2 Peter 2:1). Isaiah warned against the dangers of falsehood: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness” (Isaiah 5:20).

So how do we recognize the false profits? Jesus says: “You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit.” The fruits of the vine are those fruits which are produced through truly righteous behavior and love for God and man. God provided us with the Holy Spirit. If we welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives and live a truly virtuous life, we can avoid the false profits. False profits try to lead us away from the church by telling you things like Mass on Sunday isn’t important or that the Eucharist really isn’t the body and blood of Christ. Once somebody starts trying to lead you away from your faith, they are a false profit. We must cultivate a strong faith to combat this evil. This faith is formed through daily prayer and by allowing the Holy Spirit to enter our souls and set our souls on fire with his love. When we receive the sacrament of confirmation, we are telling God we want to be filled with his Holy Spirit; that we want to be set on fire with His love. These fruits are also nurtured through weekly Mass, through the gift of the Eucharist and through the gift of reconciliation. And most of all, these fruits are nurtured by being true to God and his graces that He pours out on us.

A Simple Prayer Lord, may the fruit of my vine be faith, hope and love. May I learn to be virtuous and morally sound. Please fill my soul with the Holy Spirit so that I will produce good fruit. Help me to reject the false profits and those that try to lead me away from the church.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon