By their fruits you shall know them
In our Gospel for today, we heard a strong admonition and an urgent call to discernment and authentic Christian living.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Our Lord begins with a stern warning. False prophets are not some relic of ancient times; false prophets have been a constant threat throughout the history of the Church. They disguise themselves with a veneer of piety and goodness, yet their true nature is revealed by their actions. They are like ravening wolves, seeking to lead the faithful astray, devouring the spiritual health of the flock.
“By their fruits you shall know them.” This is the litmus test given to us by Christ Himself. The true character of a person, especially those who claim to be leaders and teachers, is known by the fruits they bear. Our Lord uses the analogy of trees and their fruits to illustrate this point vividly. “Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and the evil tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” The nature of a tree is known by the fruit it produces. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, and an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit. In our spiritual lives, this means that our actions, our deeds, and our way of living reveal the state of our soul. It is not enough to profess faith with our lips if our lives do not reflect that faith. Our Lord is calling us to an integrity of life where our words and our actions are in harmony, bearing good fruit that glorifies God and edifies our neighbour.
“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the fire.” Christ gives us a severe and sobering warning. Just as a farmer will cut down and burn a tree that does not produce good fruit, so too will those who do not live according to God’s will face judgement. This imagery of fire signifies the eternal consequences of living a life contrary to the teachings of Christ. It is a call to repentance and a reminder of the seriousness of our spiritual condition.
“Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.” Repetition in Scripture emphasises importance. Our Lord reiterates that the true measure of a person is in the fruits they bear. This is particularly pertinent for us today as we surrounded by a world filled with conflicting messages and deceptive appearances. We must continue to cultivate a spirit of discernment, seeking always to be faithful to Christ and the teachings of His Church.
“Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Christ’s brings His message to its pinnacle. Mere lip service is insufficient. Our Lord clearly tells us that entry into the Kingdom of heaven is reserved for those who do the will of the Father. This doing is an active, living faith expressed through obedience and love to God and His commandments.
In our daily lives, we are called to examine the fruits we bear. Are they fruits of charity, patience, humility, and holiness? Or do we bear fruits of pride, selfishness, and discord? We always need to bear in mind that our actions speak louder than words. To truly follow our Lord, we must embody His teachings, letting our lives be a testament to His love and truth.
As we meditate on today’s Gospel, let us ask for the grace to discern truth from falsehood, to produce good fruit in our lives, and to make sure that our will is the same as that of our Heavenly Father.
Seraphim Michael
7 July 2024
Sts Cyril and Methodius
