False Prophets

“Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits” (Mt 7:15-16). This prophetic warning from our Lord indicates the nature of His Church on earth. It will house the good and the bad, even the dangerous. We are His flock, and He alone is the Shepherd, and when He appoints shepherds, they represent Him. As sheep, His flock will be inclined to wander off and follow base instincts and harmful passions, which is why He offers His instruction and this warning. This is what sheep do. This is what we do and why we disobey.

Thus, we need to beware of evil people who will attempt to look like a fellow Catholic, perhaps even a Shepherd of Christ’s Church, but secretly are interested only in corrupt practices that ruin one’s soul. The CCC states, “The human mind, in its turn, is hampered in the attaining of such truths (of God), not only by the impact of the senses and the imagination, but also by disordered appetites which are the consequences of original sin. So it happens that men in such matters easily persuade themselves that what they would not like to be true is false or at least doubtful” (#37).

Lord, strengthen us in faith that we may rejoice at the fulfillment of your words. Today, I resolve to make a good examination of conscience to identify the false prophets in my life and go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation