Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

“Give me discernment, that I may observe your law with all my heart.”—Psalm 119
 
    How often have we received the following phone calls?  “This is the IRS calling. You owe money to the government.” “Your Medicare will be cut off if you don’t make a payment.” “This is your grandson. I need money.” “With a small donation, you can reap big bucks in return!” These calls sound like a Chicken Little syndrome: “The sky is falling!” So, Jesus reminds us today, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves.” Are not these robo calls some of the false prophets we hear today and may respond with fear, sympathy, or avarice?

     As always, Jesus gives us advice on how to handle the onslaught of advertising that allures but also attempts to draw us into doing unfair or evil actions. “So, by their fruits you will know them.” Ah! How are we able to discern what the fruits are? St. Ignatius tells us to reflect on both the actions and the results of the actions. Does the tempting advertising invite me to a deeper respect for myself and for others, or does it draw me to self- interest, lethargy, or using people for my own selfishness? Yes, by the fruits of our decisions, we can discern what is good and what is evil.

    In our first reading today, the high priest Hilkiah is filled with the Spirit that enables him to message the king that his people are not following the covenant that God made to the people. As a result, the king makes a covenant with God that his people will follow with their hearts all that God ordained.

    Both readings today are complementary. No matter the century or the culture we live in, we must make decisions. In our love relationship with God, will we take the time and the effort to discern which invitation to follow? We have been gifted with our Baptismal covenant with God. When the wily temptations allure us, we call on the Spirit’s gifts of wisdom and fortitude to follow that less traveled road of self- discipline. Jesus always encourages us to discern the fruits. That discernment takes time: time for prayer, time for examining the fruits themselves.

    “Incline my heart to your decrees and not to gain.”—Psalm 119