Jesus warns his disciples against false prophets who can easily be identified by their fruits. He rebukes religious leaders who come “in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves” (v 15). Jesus gives the same warning to our generation. A person may make a nice appearance, talk cleverly, and surround himself with a throng of admirers, but he is not necessarily a prophet of God. The true prophet must be able to give God to other people. He finds himself in the hands of God as the Spirit guides him to shape the lives of people and form them to be disciples of Jesus.

Gospel • MATTHEW 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.” SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2019,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.