SANCTITY AS SEEN IN THE FRUITS
Jesus’
instruction on false prophets in today’s Gospel are strong warnings
against the so-called wolves in sheep’s clothing. He gives a sure-fire,
foolproof litmus test: “By their fruits you will know them.” Take note
that He said, “by their fruits,” not “by their roots.”
Prophets, genuine or otherwise, can have colorful backgrounds, solid
credentials, and credible reputations. But depending on the results they
produce, whether their pronouncements and teachings translate into
sincere and genuine manifestations in the lives of their listeners and
adherents, remains to be seen. “The proof of the pudding is in the
eating,” as the saying goes.
We see this in the lives of our saints for today. We have a choice of
three, and we can take our pick as far as our liturgy is concerned.
(They’re all optional memorials for today: St. Paulinus of Nola, Sts.
John Fisher and Thomas More.) The nice thing is that each one of them
will do in exemplifying our point above. Their canonization by the
Catholic Church is the official seal of approval. Their lives are worthy
of our imitation. The saints are the “poster boys or girls” of living
out Jesus’ teachings. But lest we think that the whole thing is just for
the likes of them, let us not forget that the call and challenge to
sainthood goes out to each of us as well, with equal urgency and
seriousness.
“Small-letter-s” saints — that’s what we can be, and that’s what we
strive to be. And even without beatification and canonization, may we
all have the fruits to show for it. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB
REFLECTION QUESTIONs: What fruits does your life bear? Can they be classified as good fruits?
Help me to bear fruit for Your Kingdom, Lord. May my life shine Your light to the world. Amen.
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