12th Week in OT 2019 - Wednesday - Beware of false prophets

On Monday we celebrated the nativity of a true prophet, John the Baptist. The biblical understanding of a prophet, isn’t someone who can foretell the future, but rather, someone who has the ability to point to the Truth in the present. John the Baptist was a true prophet because he pointed to the truth that Jesus is the Lamb of God, the Son of God, the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. He called people to acknowledge the truth that they had sinned and needed a savior.

In pointing to the truth, the true prophet often challenges people, pushing them beyond complacency; his message often contains words that people do not want to hear. John was prophetic when he pointed out to the truth of the moral error of Herod, having married his brother’s wife. For this he was arrested and killed. The prophet often knows the consequences for his message. But preaches it anyway because the message comes from God.

We hear from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount today, his warning for his followers to beware of false prophets. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them.”

If true prophets point us to truth, false prophets preach, what St. Paul calls, “an empty seductive philosophy.”  Where the prophets teach us to bear our crosses, the false prophets urge us to lay them down when they get too heavy, and that IS seductive. Where true prophets point us to faithful practice of our God-given religion, false prophets will water down the faith, seek to recreate the Church according to the principles of the world.

“By their fruits you will know them” and look at the fruits of the false prophets: broken marriages, abortion, sexual perversion, corruption in government, biblical and doctrinal illiteracy, grievously low church attendance, the dehumanization of the poor, drug and alcohol addiction, and what St. John Paul called the "loss of the sense of sin." 

Are there, and have there been false shepherds in the Church? Yes. Our Lord warns us to beware the false prophets in every age. So, we properly guard ourselves against false prophets by studying the Word of God, studying Church doctrine, studying the lives and writings of the saints, the Church fathers, forming our minds through the Truth to detect the false Gospel.

Not to be completely dour, we need to remember that the good fruit of Christ certainly flourishes in our midst as well.  The seeds of sanctity are nourished by authentic Catholic worship, authentic devotion, prayer, authentic Christian education, use of the sacrament of confession, the holy works of mercy.  Christianity does flourish—Christians in our parish and diocese are experiencing the real joy of knowing Christ, and they are coming to that joy not through the watered-down, seductive religion of the false prophets, but through the Truth of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Faith.

May we be discerning of false teaching in our midst, may we protect the younger generations from following the false shepherds of the present age, may we help them to know the One teacher and Lord of Life, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That Pope Francis and all the clergy may witness to the truth of the Gospel faithfully, courageously, and compassionately.

For the protection of the unborn, and that people of goodwill will work together to enshrine the protection of the unborn in law and in the hearts of all.

For the conversion of those who do not believe in God, for Catholics who have left the Church, those guilty of heresy or schism, and for a return to the sacraments of those who have fallen into serious sin.

For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster,  those who suffer from war, violence, and terrorism, all victims of abuse, especially children, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, and the imprisoned, for those who struggle to live the call of Christian chastity, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom, for the repose of the soul of St. Joseph Father Larry Tosco, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.