Faith Daily |22 June 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p 554

Almighty and everlasting God,

you are always more ready to hear than we are to pray,

and give more than either we desire or deserve:

pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy,

forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid,

and giving us those good things

which we are not worthy to ask,

save through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ,

your Son our Lord.

Amen

GOSPEL for the Day: Matthew 7: 15-20

15“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus you will know them by their fruits.

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Alison Dorman

With recent elections, World conflicts and injustices, we make judgments in our own minds all the time about whether those in the public eye are bearing good fruit or bad fruit, whether they are ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’, or true prophets as they say they are. Their actions always speak louder than words. With a Christian lens on, we can discern with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, what the fruits which are on display to us illustrate. Saint Paul wrote of the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ (Galatians 5:22–23) when he lists love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control as evidence of God’s work. Leaders can change, just as trees can change when they are given different conditions. A ‘bad tree’ can bear good fruit when it is fed nourishing food or when it is nurtured and surrounded by good gardeners. ‘Good trees’ can be influenced by evil forces which cause them to be ‘poisoned’ and to work to control and have power over others.

While we are asked to beware of false prophets, we need to be mostly aware of whether we are being the best we can be and what we are called to be. We grow if we are well tended, in love. We grow when we nourish ourselves with the food and drink that do not ruin the body. We grow when we nourish our minds and hearts with the fruits of the spirit. I am fully responsible for my own growth Into the best version of myself that I can be. Jesus promised me the Holy Spirit who enriches my life and is evident in my attitudes, words and actions. As I turn away from false prophets and seek guidance of those who may truly help me, I ask the Spirit for guidance.

I am the only person I can be fully responsible for. I strive with the guidance of the Spirit to bear the best fruit I can as I use my gifts in God’s service.

FINAL PRAYER St Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.