Today's readings take us on a journey to a moment of spiritual awakening in the history of the Israelites, one that conjures up the image of a dead tree, suddenly finding life and bearing fruit, as Jesus speaks about in today's gospel. The high priest Hilkiah discovers the Book of the Law in the Temple, and its contents send shockwaves through the kingdom. King Josiah is deeply moved by the reading of the book, recognizing the extent to which his ancestors had departed from God's will. He tears his garments in sorrow and humiliation, acknowledging the gravity of their disobedience.
This passage teaches us that even in times of spiritual complacency, God can stir our hearts to seek Him. The discovery of the Book of the Law is a reminder that God's word has the power to convict us of our sins and lead us to repentance.
Josiah's response to this discovery is noteworthy. He does not blame others or try to downplay the situation. Instead, he takes personal responsibility and seeks God's guidance through prayer and abiding by the covenant God had made with his ancestors. He invites all the people of Judah and Jerusalem to join him in this commitment, recognizing that obedience to God's law is not just an individual matter, but a communal one.
As we reflect on our own relationship with God, we are called to respond in a similar way. When we discover our own spiritual
complacency or sin, let us not be afraid to acknowledge our mistakes and seek forgiveness. Let us be willing to make amends and seek God's guidance anew. And often times, God’s guidance comes through the spiritual leaders he sets before us, and often these are more than one, but in today's Gospel passage, Jesus reminds us that we should be discerning when it comes to spiritual leaders and guides in our lives. Jesus warns us about false prophets who may appear to be pious and holy, but are actually driven by their own selfish desires and interests.
We can't judge people by their appearance or their words alone, but rather by the fruits of their actions. Are they producing good fruit in their lives? Are they living out the teachings of Christ in a practical way? In this sense, the saints and even the angels in heaven confirmed in grace, are already powerful leaders and examples for us to follow. When it comes to the living however, one’s actions can speak a lot, and as we know, Saint Francis had told us that we should preach always, and if necessary use words. Our actions should do the preaching.
Jesus uses the example of trees to illustrate this point. A tree that bears good fruit is a sign of a healthy tree, while a tree that bears bad fruit is a sign of a rotten tree. In the same way, our actions and behaviors can reveal what's truly at the heart of our being.
But how do we determine what constitutes "good fruit"? According to Jesus, it's not just about doing good things or saying nice words. It's about living out his teachings in a consistent and authentic way.
For example, are we showing compassion and kindness to those in need? Are we forgiving those who have wronged us? Are we living simply and humbly, rather than seeking to accumulate wealth and status?
If we're not producing good fruit in these areas, it may be a sign that our faith is lacking or that we're following a false prophet. But if we are producing good fruit, it's likely that we're following the teachings of Jesus and living out His will for our lives.
So let us examine our own lives and ask ourselves: what fruits are we producing? Are we bearing good fruit or bad fruit? And if we're not producing good fruit, let us seek to repent and start bearing good fruit in our lives. May we be guided by the Holy Spirit and may our lives be a reflection of Christ's teachings.
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