25 June 2025 – Wednesday of the 12th odd week
Gen 15:1-12, 17-18a; 23:1-3; Mt 7:15-20
Homily
In this brief teaching to His disciples, Jesus warns them against false prophets and their erroneous teachings. To distinguish the good from the false, He gives them an easy rule: ‘You will recognize them by their fruits.’
Today, as in Jesus' time, and as in every period of history, we are exposed to all kinds of teachings and theories, to various interpretations of the Gospel and Christian life, or even monastic life. Some of these teachings are clearly false and have been declared as such by the competent authorities. It is not too difficult to recognize them for what they are. However, there are many cases where things are not so obvious. How can we know whether a new theory or interpretation, which seems attractive, is good or not? This is where the rule of interpretation given by Jesus applies: ‘By their fruits you shall know them.’
However, it remains to be clarified what fruits and what person Jesus is talking about. One might easily think that He is referring to the fruits in the life of the person who teaches or writes. Thus, it is easy to hear people say that if the person who wrote this or that or taught this or that theory does not lead a totally edifying life, then their teaching cannot be true. This may be the case, but I do not believe that this is what Jesus is talking about, especially since in most cases we are not in a position to judge the quality of the person's life.
I think Jesus is talking about the fruits in our own lives. If I have been impressed or influenced by a person, a book, an article or a lecture, I must first ask myself what the fruit of that has been in my own life. Has it brought peace, communion with others, understanding and compassion into my life? Or has it caused division, unease, judgement and condemnation of others within me? This is a test that does not lie.
And then, in the first reading we have just heard, the Word of God is addressed to Abraham, promising him descendants and a land for his descendants. If we are faithful in meditating on the Word of God every day, if we allow this Word to penetrate and shape our hearts and form our minds, then we will possess a spiritual sense that will give us enlightened discernment.
And let us not forget that the Word of God that we are given to hear each day is also the same Word incarnate, which is given to us each day in the Eucharist as food for life. Let us give thanks to God for this immeasurable gift.
Armand Veilleux