"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing,
but underneath are ravenous wolves.
By their fruits you will know them.
Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Just so, every good tree bears good fruit,
and a rotten tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit,
nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down
and thrown into the fire.
So by their fruits you will know them."
REFLECTION
By their fruits you will know them.
On June 26, 1975, Josemaria Escriva died of a heart attack. (And) By his fruits he was known. St Josemaria Escriva, priest and founder of The Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei, was a remarkable priest.
He developed an intense devotion for the Holy Eucharist and Mother Mary. During his priestly studies. He said, “The Blessed Virgin has always helped me to discover her Son’s desires”. While on retreat, his vocation to serve God opened up. Wanting to do God’s work, he founded Opus Dei, a new spiritual and vocational path for the laity to do God’s work.
This young movement grew quickly on college campuses, eventually receiving Pope Pius XII's papal recognition. His work expanded the way to holiness for the laity. At the time of his death, there were over 60,000 people from more than 80 nationalities who made up Opus Dei.
The life of a true prophet speaks of God and teaches the Gospel. But how do we know he is not a wolf in sheep’s clothing, leading us the wrong path? We examine their lives and behavior. Good fruit brings forth love, patience, repentance, good speech and a life filled with good deeds and Christian love.
Thank you, St Josemaria Escriva for cultivating a good tree bearing fruits.
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