GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 22ND JUNE 2016
WEDNESDAY OF THE 12TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
1ST READING: 2Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3
PSALM: Psalm 119:33-37, 40
GOSPEL: Matthew 7:15-20
THEME: BY THEIR FRUITS YOU SHALL KNOW THEM
A prophet is the moon in the darkest hour of the night. As the moon receives light from the sun and reflects it to the earth, a prophet imbibes virtuous light from God and reflects it on our path. Prophets do not make “noise” about themselves; they simply manifest their prophetic presence and leave the discernment and judgement to the beneficiaries of the light that they give.
Jesus grew up in a milieu where farming was practiced extensively. Many of his audience were either farmers or at least had some basic knowledge in farming. Consequently, Jesus, in our Gospel text for today, makes use of a common agricultural knowledge to drive home the importance of discerning true prophets from false prophets. He tells his disciples, “You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit” (Mt 7:16-18).
It is not everyone who speaks in the name of God who qualifies to be a prophet. Actions, as it is proverbially said, speak louder than words. In this part of the world where I live, people who speak in the name of God are accorded some kind of reverence. Consequently, the number of “prophets” are on the increase and many people have usurped all kinds of religious titles that in reality they do not have.
The word of God for today invites us to open our eyes and look beyond the rhetoric of “prophets”. A true prophet reflects the character of the one he (she) represents. If he (she) represents God, his (her) character would reflect the character of God.
Eternal Father of lights, with you there is no variation or shadow due to change. May the splendor of your divine light bring about an inner transformation in me and make a light for the world.
Fr. Andrews Obeng, SVD
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)