Frederick, Maryland, United States - Daily Mass Reading & Catholic Meditation “The Word Among Us” for Wednesday, 25 June 2014

Frederick, Maryland, United States - Daily Mass Reading & Catholic Meditation “The Word Among Us” for Wednesday, 25 June 2014
Meditations: Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. 16 By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
12th Week in Ordinary Time
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing. (Matthew 7:15)
You can probably think of people you might call a “false prophet.” The media is filled with people who spread inaccurate and harmful messages. Imagine yourself talking to one of these people. You forthrightly explain what is wrong with his or her message. You present your point of view calmly and reasonably. It all seems so cogent and convincing to you. But unless you’re very persuasive, this person is not going to change.
Now change the picture. Imagine that the person you are talking to is … you! As often as not, we are the first ones to lead ourselves astray. So many thoughts come our way every day that truly do resemble sheep-cloaked wolves: “That dessert is tasty—you need a third helping!” “That person is really attractive. You’ve got to take another look!” “After what she did to you, there’s no way you should forgive her.” “That beggar should get a job instead of bothering me!”
We know that if we listen to these wolfish thoughts, they will lead to bad fruit—selfishness, sadness, isolation, and sin. It’s tough to look inside ourselves, but Jesus wants us to examine our thoughts. Not because he wants to show us how bad we are, because we’re not. It’s because he wants us to be free to hear and to live by the voice of the Holy Spirit. Only by quieting our racing minds will we be able to hear his words of affirmation, conviction, and direction. Only by silencing the wolves can we hear the Lamb!
How do you take control of these renegade thoughts? The same way you would change your wardrobe. Every day, you decide to “put away” your old undesirable thoughts and “put on” Christ (Ephesians 4:22, 24). His clothes are so much better!
So receive his Spirit—through his word, through the sacraments, and by just being in his presence. And he will give you new clothes, his “glorious mantle” (Isaiah 61:3). As your mind is renewed, your life will change. You are already a new creation—now dress like it!
“Lord, right now I want to quiet down and listen to my heart—for you live there! Show me if there are any wolves lurking about. Help me to renounce anything that keeps your love out!” Amen.

2 Kings 22:8 Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in Yahweh’s house.” Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan, and he read it. 9 Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hands of the workmen who have the oversight of Yahweh’s house.” 10 Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has delivered a book to me.” Then Shaphan read it before the king.
11 When the king had heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes. 12 The king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying, 13 “Go inquire of Yahweh for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found; for great is Yahweh’s wrath that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that which is written concerning us.”
23 The king sent, and they gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. 2 The king went up to Yahweh’s house, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, with the priests, the prophets, and all the people, both small and great; and he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in Yahweh’s house. 3 The king stood by the pillar, and made a covenant before Yahweh, to walk after Yahweh, and to keep his commandments, his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and all his soul, to confirm the words of this covenant that were written in this book; and all the people agreed to the covenant.
Psalm 119: HEY
33 Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your statutes.
    I will keep them to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law.
    Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commandments,
    for I delight in them.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes,
    not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things.
    Revive me in your ways.
40 Behold, I long for your precepts!
    Revive me in your righteousness.
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