BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS

June 25, 2025 Wednesday within the 12th week in Ordinary Time: Year C Matthew 7:15-20 There’s something piercing in the words of Jesus: “By their fruits you will know them.” It’s not just a warning about false prophets—it’s an invitation to self-examination. These words speak to the aching truth we often try to ignore: that what we appear to be and what we truly are can be very different. Jesus reminds us that our faith is not proven by the words we speak or the image we present, but by the fruit we bear—in love, in patience, in truth, in mercy. What grows from our lives reveals the roots of our soul. Jesus speaks these words not with anger, but with deep sadness and concern. He knows how easily people can be misled by appearances, by charisma, by voices that sound religious but do not come from a heart rooted in God. He also knows how easily we can deceive ourselves—believing we are on the right path while harboring bitterness, pride, or hypocrisy. And yet, this Gospel isn’t meant to condemn—it’s meant to wake us up. It’s a gentle but firm call to return to the authentic path of holiness, where fruit is not forced, but grows naturally from a heart that abides in Christ. If you feel burdened by your failures or afraid that your life is not bearing enough fruit, take heart: God is the patient Gardener. He does not uproot in anger—He gently prunes, waters, and nourishes. Sometimes, the most beautiful fruit grows in seasons of great pain and surrender. The measure of a good tree is not perfection, but perseverance in love. Let this be our prayer today: “Lord, make my heart true. Let my roots grow deep in You, so that what flows from me is real, lasting, and filled with grace.” May we live not to impress the world—but to bear fruit that brings joy to heaven. Blessings Fr. Jhack