Breaking the Word

12^th Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 25^th June 2025 – Genesis 15,1-12.17-18; Mt 7,15-20

Identity of Good Prophets

In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns his followers to be on guard against false prophets, who claim to speak for God but actually teach in opposition to the Gospel. Jesus invites us to examine the prophets based on their behaviour. On the principle that like produces like, we are to evaluate the fruits of their lives. If their actions and their character show forth good things, such as grapes and figs, then the prophet is a good and trustworthy tree. The self-styled prophet is really a rotten tree that cannot be trusted. Words are not enough to reveal the true state of the human heart; rather, faith expressed in deeds of charity reflect the inner good of the person. All those who profess right beliefs do not always live out the Gospel message and do not exhibit a true picture of Christ. With time, the fruit of the prophets will be revealed. False prophets and leaders who do not live what they teach and lead others in the wrong direction will be thrown into the fire, referring to eternal fires of hell and separation from God.

The Nativity of John the Baptist, Monday – 24^th June 2025—Is 49, 1-6; Lk 1, 57-60.80

Parents Chosen for Fulfillment

Mary attended to the needs of her cousin Elizabeth and served with generous charity for three months. Today, we celebrate the nativity of John, her cousin Elizabeth’s son. Her name means “My God’s oath.” God’s covenant and fidelity is recalled in the words, “the Lord has shown great mercy toward her.” God has kept his word and his covenant with Elizabeth, and granted her a blessing as a faithful daughter of his people. Her husband’s name Zechariah means, “Yahweh has remembered.” The song of Zechariah sings out the praises of God for his faithfulness. He proclaims that God’s covenant oaths to David, concerning an everlasting throne, and to Abraham (Gen 22,16-18), about a blessing for all nations, are nearing its fulfillment in the preparatory role played by John’s parents. Thus, we find the names of John’s parents symbolize God’s action on Zechariah as “God remembers”, and his wife Elizabeth as “oath” being fulfilled through the mission of John and Jesus.