In today’s Gospel, Jesus extends an invitation for us to be transformed into genuine witnesses of His teachings and, above all, vessels of His perfect love. Jesus offers us ageless wisdom to be aware of false prophets that will lead us astray and even guide us to destruction if we follow them instead of Christ.
This Scripture passage triggers a poignant memory of my teenage son returning home from a Catholic youth camp with a neon yellow “WWJD” bracelet, a tangible reminder of the profound question, “What Would Jesus Do?” This message echoes today’s Gospel passage about the importance of our actions aligning with our beliefs, and helps us learn His ways so that we are not misled. WWJD is a simple reminder that sometimes our actions speak louder than our words, and we need to seek out leaders and role models who live out a vibrant faith life so we are not led.
Jesus’ analogy of good fruit from healthy trees and bad fruit from diseased ones reinforces the imperative of aligning our conduct with His teachings. Just as we discard rotting fruit, we must rid ourselves of behaviors incongruent with Christ’s example and beware of those who don’t act accordingly. This lesson beckons us to embrace authentic Christian living, understanding that the fruits of evil can never replicate the richness of the fruits born from Christ’s love.
The unwavering love of the Lord assures us that His guidance will never lead us astray. This steadfastness serves as a beacon, illuminating the path toward righteous living. Yet, Jesus also warns us about wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing, urging us to remain vigilant against deception. Discernment and prayer are paramount, since our hearts are the battleground for the type of fruit we bear. Jesus doesn’t just impart wisdom, He unveils profound truth by cautioning us to navigate life with a discerning eye. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to guide us along the journey as we discern the many voices in the world.
When confronted with something that resembles a wolf or someone who behaves like one, let us exercise caution when they do not align with Christ’s teachings. May we heed Jesus’ words and strive to bear fruit reflective of His love, truth, and righteousness.
En el evangelio de hoy, Jesús nos extiende una invitación a ser transformados en testigos genuinos de sus enseñanzas y, sobre todo, vasos de su perfecto amor. Jesús nos ofrece sabiduría eterna para estar conscientes de los falsos profetas que nos desviarán e incluso nos guiarán a la destrucción si los seguimos a ellos en lugar de a Cristo.
Este pasaje de las Escrituras me hace acordar de un recuerdo conmovedor de mi hijo adolescente que regresa a casa de un campamento juvenil católico con un brazalete amarillo neón que dice “WWJD”, un recordatorio tangible de la profunda pregunta: “¿Qué haría Jesús?” Este mensaje hace eco del pasaje del Evangelio de hoy sobre la importancia de que nuestras acciones se alinean con nuestras creencias y nos ayuda a aprender Sus caminos para que no seamos engañados. WWJD es un simple recordatorio de que a veces nuestras acciones hablan más que nuestras palabras, y necesitamos buscar líderes y modelos a seguir que vivan una vida de fe vibrante para que no nos dejemos guiar.
La analogía de Jesús de buenos frutos de árboles sanos y malos frutos de árboles enfermos refuerza el imperativo de alinear nuestra conducta con Sus enseñanzas. Así como descartamos los frutos podridos, debemos deshacernos de conductas incongruentes con el ejemplo de Cristo y tener cuidado con aquellos que no actúan en consecuencia. Esta lección nos invita a abrazar la auténtica vida cristiana, entendiendo que los frutos del mal nunca podrán replicar la riqueza de los frutos nacidos del amor de Cristo.
El amor inquebrantable del Señor nos asegura que Su guía nunca nos desviará. Esta firmeza sirve como un faro que ilumina el camino hacia una vida recta. Sin embargo, Jesús también nos advierte sobre los lobos vestidos con pieles de ovejas, instándonos a permanecer vigilantes contra el engaño. El discernimiento y la oración son primordiales, ya que nuestros corazones son el campo de batalla por el tipo de fruto que damos. Jesús no sólo imparte sabiduría, sino que revela una verdad profunda al advertirnos que naveguemos por la vida con ojo perspicaz. Pidamos al Espíritu Santo que nos guíe a lo largo del camino mientras discernimos las muchas voces en el mundo.
Cuando nos enfrentemos a algo que se parezca a un lobo o a alguien que se comporte como tal, tengamos cuidado cuando no se alinean con las enseñanzas de Cristo. Que prestemos atención a las palabras de Jesús y nos esforcemos por dar frutos que reflejen su amor, verdad y justicia.
Emily Jaminet is a Catholic author, speaker, radio personality, wife, and mother of seven children. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mental health and human services from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. She is the co-founder of www.inspirethefaith.com and the Executive Director of The Sacred Heart Enthronement Network www.WelcomeHisHeart.com. She has co-authored several Catholic books and her next one, Secrets of the Sacred Heart: Claiming Jesus’ Twelve Promises in Your Life, comes out in Oct. 2020. Emily serves on the board of the Columbus Catholic Women’s Conference, contributes to Relevant Radio and Catholic Mom.com.
Feature Image Credit: maricarmen vargas vidales, cathopic.com/photo/15602-the-vine
Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including Father Rob), and eight grandchildren. She is President of the local community of Secular Discalced Carmelites and has published five books and many articles. Over the last 30 years, she has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE, and as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio. Currently, she serves the Church by writing and speaking, and by collaborating with various parishes and to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Her website is 
Deacon Dan Schneider is a retired general manager of industrial distributors. He and his wife Vicki have been married for over 50 years. They are the parents of eight children and thirty-one grandchildren. He has a degree in Family Life Education from Spring Arbor University. He was ordained a Permanent Deacon in 2002. He has a passion for working with engaged and married couples and his main ministry has been preparing couples for marriage.
Susan Ciancio has a BA in psychology and a BA in sociology from the University of Notre Dame, with an MA in liberal studies from Indiana University. For the past 19 years, she has worked as a professional editor and writer, editing both fiction and nonfiction books, magazine articles, blogs, educational lessons, professional materials and website content. Thirteen of those years have been in the pro-life sector. Currently Susan freelances and writes weekly for HLI, edits for American Life League, and is the executive editor of Celebrate Life Magazine. She also serves as executive editor for the Culture of Life Studies Program—an educational nonprofit program for K-12 students. You can reach her at 
Mike Karpus is a regular guy. He grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, graduated from Michigan State University and works as an editor. He is married to a Catholic school principal, raised two daughters who became Catholic school teachers at points in their careers, and now relishes his two grandchildren, including the older one who is fascinated with learning about his faith. He also has served on a Catholic school board, a pastoral council and a parish stewardship committee. He currently is a lector at Mass, a Knight of Columbus, Adult Faith Formation Committee member and a board member of the local Habitat for Humanity organization. But mostly he’s a regular guy.
A lover of Jesus Christ, a wife, and a mother of five, 
Heather Orlowski and her husband are busy parents of two little girls (ages 2 and 4). The Catholic Church holds a special place in her heart and in her entire life. She attended Catholic schools from Kindergarten through college. She graduated from Aquinas College with a degree in Elementary/Special Education. Catholic Education is very important to her and she now teaches 1st and 2nd grades at St. Therese Catholic School. In her free time, she loves creating memories with her family and watching her little girls play soccer. 
Dr. Alexis Dallara-Marsh is a board-certified neurologist who practices in Bergen County, NJ. She is a wife to her best friend, Akeem, and a mother of two little ones on Earth and two others in heaven above.
1-800-994-9817