The Lord remembers his covenant for ever. — Psalm 105:8 

Mass readings: Genesis 15:1-12,17-18 / Matthew 7:15-20 

Prophets of Now 

We often think of prophets as people who foretell the future. A more important role of Old Testament prophets, however, was to talk about now. “Look what’s happening around you!” they’d preach, pointing out the sins of leaders or the general godlessness of society. “Doesn’t it upset you? Wake up!” The fruits these prophets sought were a return to faith in the Lord and observance of His commandments.  

False prophets, then and now, seek not to make people better, but to sow division, to inflame fear and hatred, to pit one group against another. And as Jesus says in today’s Gospel, these prophets reap what they sow: division, fear, bloodshed. When someone tells me “the way things are” and what I should do about it, Jesus wants me to listen critically. 

Prayer: Jesus, help me to beware of those who preach hatred.