Summary of Sunday’s Meditation

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

The Gospel according to St. Matthew, 7:15-21

“At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: Beware of false prophets who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but invariably they are ravening wolves. By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and the evil tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be cut down and shall be cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them, not everyone that saith to Me: “Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of My Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

Summary of Tomorrow’s Meditation

We will listen tomorrow to Jesus Christ revealing to us in the gospel: First, the necessity of good works under the symbol of the tree which ought to bear good fruit; Second, the characteristics which these good works ought to have in order that they may be saving. We will then make the resolution: First, joyfully to seize all opportunities for doing good works which we may meet with during the day, even to obliging our neighbor in little things, as well as in great; to say a pleasant word and to behave kindly to the poor, the unhappy, and servants; Second, carefully to fulfill all the duties of our position, which are the primary good works to which we ought to apply ourselves. Our spiritual nosegay shall be the words of the gospel: “Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit.” (Matt. 7:7)

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