GOSPEL REFLECTION OF POPE FRANCIS - 06/28/23 (Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time)

From the Gospel according to Matthew

Mt 7,15-20

Jesus said to his disciples:

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing,

but underneath are ravenous wolves.

By their fruits you will know them.

Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Just so, every good tree bears good fruit,

and a rotten tree bears bad fruit.

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 their fruits you will know them."

WORDS OF THE HOLY FATHER

Here then is the key to recognizing false prophets: “You will know them by their fruits”. In other words, by their attitude: so many words, they speak, they are prodigious, they do great things but their heart is not open to hear the Word of God, they are afraid of the silence of the Word of God. These are “pseudo-christians, pseudo-pastors”, who “do good things” but “the rock is missing”. There are, “three key words to understanding this: speak, do, and listen”. One who simply speaks and acts, is not a true prophet, is not a true Christian, and in the end everything will fall”, because “it is not on the rock of God’s love, it is not ‘made of stone’”. On the other hand, “one who knows how to listen and from listening, does, with the strength of the word of another, not her own”, this one “remains firm like the rock: although she is a humble person, who doesn’t seem important”, she is great. And “how many of these great ones there are in the Church!.  “How many great bishops, how many great priests, how many great faithful who know how to listen and from listening, do!. (Santa Marta, 25 June 2015)

Source:

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day/2023/06/28.html

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth