False Prophets – Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

On the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, the Church reads part of Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount. “At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father in heaven shall enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 7:15-21) The Sermon on the Mount was delivered early in Christ’s public ministry, after the first Passover and our Lord’s initial preaching and miracles. It comes amidst Our Lord’s injunctions to have confidence in God, and to …