Arulvakku

22.06.2022 — Bear Fruit in Being and Doing

12thWeek in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 22 nd June 2022 — Gospel: Mt 7,15-20

Bear fruit in Being and Doing

Jesus gives us a very wise, tangible and practical guideline for discernment of false prophets. Through discernment identify the prophet, who is rooted in being and doings, not just in his words. This discernment is embedded in the principle of love. The image of the tree and the fruit reminds us that our behaviour flows from character. People do not judge of a tree by its leaves, or flowers, but by the fruit which it bears. The flowers may be beautiful and fragrant, the foliage thick and green, but these are merely ornamental. In Jesus’ teaching, character comes through being one with Him and the Holy Spirit, and not merely through one’s disciplined efforts. In practicing the gift of love and in projecting through loving attitude, we become genuine prophets in the world. If we are transformed and consistently dependent on the power of God’s Spirit, then we are living according to the traits of God’s character. In this manner, we become true prophets, just as a tree does, bearing fruit according to our lifestyle and discernment.