Who are the false prophets in my life?

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 12th Week -  Wednesday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 7:15-20*

*First Reading - Gn 15:1-12, 17-18*

*Who are the false prophets in my life?*

*Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing,*

*1) Concept of False prophet*

Usually when we think about the false prophets, we always think in terms of persons, who deceive us in the name of religion or in the name of God

This is the one type of understanding, where we see false prophets outside of us, in terms of persons 

But at the deeper level we can apply the concept of the false prophets to the following area in today's context

*A) Advertisements*

It is proper to say that almost all the modern commercial  advertisements are like false prophets 

They project a result about a commodity, which is far from the reality 

They are just like coming in the sheep's clothing, to deceive many people 

*B) Glamorous and Colourful world*

The world which appears today in a glamours and colourful way, attracts all of us. 

In a way it takes us away from our spiritual life and makes us to follow the standards of this world

In a way it is nothing but one of false prophets, which very often tempts us to live our life according to the standards of this world. So we need to be very careful about this false prophet 

*C) Short cuts and Easy ways*

This is another false prophet, which has spoiled our disciplined way of life 

This false prophet has destroyed the values of sincerity, patience and hard work

Today this false prophet is giving false promises and leads human beings to give up the kingdom values 

*D) Quick Results*

The modern world runs after this false prophet

Anything we do today we expect quick results, as a result, people use all illigal and immoral ways to get quick result. Examples: Adulterated and chemicalised food, which is injurious to health 

*E) Desire for rich and highfigh life*

The world today exposes people for rich and highfigh life, through short cuts and easy ways 

This desire for rich and highfigh life comes in the form of a false prophet, which makes a person to make lots of compromises about the values to achieve the goals 

We need to be very careful about this false prophet

*F) Principle of enjoy life in this world*

The concept of having only one life, need to enjoy this to the maximum with all aspects 

In this context, crossing all the limits of morality to enjoy bodily pleasures, and having no issues with that has become the fashion of today 

This is another false prophet which destroys our life 

*2) What about my Life?*

Who are the false prophets in my life? 

Have I become the slave to the false prophets?

How do I find that I am not deceived by the false prophets in my life? 

What are the values I need to practice in order to safeguard myself from the modern  false prophets??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*