May the Lord continue to bless with peace and grace in the Holy Spirit. It is 22nd June 2022. We reflect on 2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3 and Matthew 7:15-20.
Who is deceiving or deciding our direction and life?
The first reading reports the finding of the book of Deuteronomy in the temple and incidentally led to the religious revival and renewal in the hearts of the people of Israel.
The Gospel invites us to recognise the fermenting evil in the community and hearts of people.
Actions bring the best and the words bring the rest in every one of us. We can be easily deceived by the seducing and appetizing words that misled million of hearts every minute. In recognising the good and appreciating it, we need to be aware of the inborn and inherent evil persons. Some people look so good outside, yet they are so evil, and ravenous wolves right within with a secretive and selfish agenda that pulls out the best in others.
A leader who is evil produces the most vicious and poisonous followers who perpetrate evil, violence, and terror in the name of God, and religious and cultural traditions. Unless we are alert and aware, we might be intoxicated by their convincing and sweet sermons and oratories and swallow gradually.
To be fruitful we all need to listen to the voice of the Lord, the Word of the Father constantly and that purges out all unwanted thoughts and actions harmful to ourselves and to the humanity around us. Neglecting God’s Word and dumping the Scripture is the abandonment of God’s supreme love, care and guidance shown in black and white. Just like the king Josiah, in the first reading, may we have the reverence for the Word of God that makes us fruitful. Better we watch out for what we consume before we get constipated in our thought process. Because the most poisonous fruits like just like grapes and figs. “Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Mt.7:20). May God, bless us and bear fruits that could be offered to God as well as to people.