Word to the Wise
Wednesday, June 28, 2017 - Wednesday in the 12th Week in Ordinary Time
[Gen 15:1-12, 17-18 and Matt 7:15-20]JUNE 28, 2017. ST. IRENAEUS, bishop and martyr [Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 and Matthew 7:15-20] "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by them fruits you will know them." [Matthew] Jesus uses this image to teach his disciples how to distinguish between true and false prophets. The latter, he says, will come cloaked in "sheep's clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves." Church history is filled with folks who have used the religious faith of others for their own benefit. That benefit is often financial but sometimes it is simply a matter of having power over others. The sad thing about this is that it often takes a long time before the people being deceived or used realize their predicament. Those who try to call attention to the situation are dismissed as envious or mistaken. The lavish lifestyles of certain now-disgraced televangelists were ignored by their flocks until the IRS began to pay attention. News programs continually warn us about certain secular swindles on the Internet, and these may include "false prophets." By their fruits you shall know them. For those of us who are not engaged in trying to lead people astray, the question still remains about bearing good fruit. There are any number of things that can impact a fruit tree's performance. When I lived in Houston, our priory planted a Meyer lemon tree. One year we harvested about six lemons, the next year nearly 100 or more! There was no question that the tree was healthy in its roots and branches, but weather could take a toll. Disciples need to accept the fact that the effort to bear good fruit will vary, but as long as the tree is sound, there will be good fruit in the long run. Take good care of your tree! AMEN
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