GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 28TH JUNE 2017
MEMORIAL OF SAINT IRENAEUS, BISHOP AND MARTYR
FIRST READING: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
PSALM: Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9
GOSPEL: Matthew 7:15-20
THEME: BY THEIR FRUITS
It appears that people who speak in the name of God are accorded some kind of reverence, especially in this part of the world where I live. Consequently, the number of “prophets”, “pastors” and “men and women of God” is on the increase and there are many more who have usurped all kinds of religious titles that in reality they do not have. Actions, as it is proverbially said, speak louder than words.
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 ones. 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). In sum, it is not everyone who speaks in the name of God who qualifies to be a ‘prophet’ – the character of a person is an important factor in such a discernment.
The word of God for today invites us to open our eyes and look beyond the rhetoric of “man/woman of God”. A true man or woman of God is one who has a divine character. If he (she) represents God, his (her) character would reflect that of God.
In our First Reading, Abram exhibited a godly character that stood the test of time, thereby making him a model for all generations. The Lord had made two promises to him – a son (heir) and a land. The fulfilment of these promises did not happen in a twinkle of an eye. He had to trustingly wait upon God. We read, “Abram put his faith in Yahweh and this was reckoned to him as uprightness”(Gen. 15:6). He had a formidable character.
When all is said and done, the pursuit of godliness ought to be the greatest quest and the defining character of every man and woman of God.
PRAYER: 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 me Christ-like. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).