Gospel Reading for June 25, 2025 – Matthew 7: 15-20
INSTROSPECTION
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.”
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We may attend the Eucharistic Celebration everyday, go into Adoration Chapels everyday, faithfully serve in a ministry of the Church, be a member of religious organizations in the Church, be very good in preaching the gospel, etc., but if the person of Christ is not seen in us, we are FALSE PROPHETS.
Perhaps, we cannot be called hypocrites like the Pharisees were, but perhaps it is because we don’t examine the things we do each day. This is why INSTROSPECTION regarding the practice of the Christian Faith is so important for all of us Christians. This is why communicating with God in prayer is so important.
The tragedy of being a FALSE PROPHET is when because of being such, others who witness our being a FALSE PROPHET are led astray, the way a rotten tomato can contaminate all other tomatoes in a basket. But, the greatest tragedy is when after all we have done in and for the Church, we will be thrown into the fire!
Lord Jesus, help us to be authentic Christians!
