In today’s Gospel proclamation Jesus is warning his disciples to be aware of false prophets. The disciples were a selected group who had decided to follow Jesus. One step taken in the wrong direction or one false message embraced can lead a disciple astray. Similarly, our worldly desires, worldly attachments and sinful nature, can give us false messages and become false prophets that control and guide us. Our minds are influenced with disinformation and misinformation pushing us to embrace power, money and lust. How can a disciple of Christ recognize and defeat this darkness? Jesus gives us the answer: “If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” The fruits he is speaking about are the fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. We can bear these fruits by remaining in him, receiving the Sacraments and having a committed prayer life.

PRAYER: Abba Father, give me discernment, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart. Amen.