(Optional Memorial for Saint Paulinus of Nola, Bishop)
(Optional Memorial for Saints John Fisher, Bishop, and Thomas More, Martyrs)
(Optional Memorial for Saints John Fisher, Bishop, and Thomas More, Martyrs)
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| “Josiah” by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, c. 1850's |
Commentary:
Reading 1: 2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3
Commentary on 2 Kgs 22:8-13; 23:1-3
This passage chronicles the reign of King Josiah, who followed King Manasseh, who had reigned for 55 years and had done evil in the eyes of the Lord, following “abominable practices” (2 Kings 21:2ff). King Josiah had ordered the gifts of precious metals given to the temple to be melted down, and paid out to workmen who repaired the temple. During this renovation, the book of the law was rediscovered, and the people were brought back to the faith through the reaffirmation of the covenant. The historical ebb and flow of faith in Israel continues.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119:33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40
R. (33a) Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord.
Commentary on Ps 119:33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40
The strophes selected from this very long psalm focus on the fidelity of the singer to the “ordinances, statutes and decrees” of the Law, in direct reference to the communal lament offered in 2 Kings 22. Psalm 119 is an individual lament asking for God’s support in times of difficulty.
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Gospel: Matthew 7:15-20
Commentary on Mt 7:15-20
In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns against people claiming to be God’s messengers, but whose message goes against God’s commands. Jesus uses an analogy of the fruit produced by various plants as a way to test the authenticity of those who claim to come in God’s name. He tells them that the product, or result, of the words offered by a self-proclaimed messenger will identify them. In his time, this was probably another warning about the teaching of the Scribes and Pharisees, who placed self-serving demands upon the people.
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Reflection:
Between February 28 and April 19, 1993, a great tragedy occurred in Waco Texas at the compound of a religious group called the Branch Davidians. A charismatic leader named David Koresh was able to convince a large group of people that he was from God and was leading them to God. The fruits of his teaching tell us what he truly was. On November 18, 1978 in a place commonly known as Jonestown in Guyana, a charismatic religious leader named Jimmy Jones lead 913 men women and children to mass suicide claiming that he was leading them to God. The fruits of his teaching identified him clearly.
If we believe that the warning from the Lord repeated in sacred scripture regarding false teachers can be lightly taken because we have two thousand years of history and understanding to fortify us against those who might lead us down the wrong path, all we need to do is look at recent history. If we believe that, because we have Saints like those whom we memorialize this day, who fought the battles to defeat challenges to Church teaching throughout history, we are free from those who would twist the word of God to their own purposes, then look at the present day. Look at the saga of Jose Luis De Jesus Miranda who died in 2013. He was building a financial empire based in Miami predicated upon the idea that he himself was the incarnation of God, and people believed him!
The words of Jesus come rushing upon us today. We are reminded that we base our hope and trust on those whose fruits are clearly seen. The Church, for all her faults, is an on-going force for good in the world. Her message of the Risen Lord, justice for the poor and love for all mankind is what we look at and see the fingerprints of God. Let us take the time to inform ourselves and inform those we love about the truth, so they too may avoid the many false prophets who come, seeming good, but whose fruits proclaim them as messengers of darkness.
Pax
[1] The picture used today is “Josiah” by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, c. 1850's
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