In Sheep’s Clothing!

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Gen 15:1-12, 17-18; Mt 7:15-20

Today’s Gospel highlights the importance of ministerial integrity for pastors.

Jesus’ use of good trees bearing good fruits and bad trees producing bad fruits is a reference to the inwardness of the shepherds’ character. The good shepherds of God lead people toward God, while the unfaithful ones lead the flock away from God. 

Jesus’ emphasis on the importance of the ministerial integrity of those in charge of the flock of God also confirms that those found ‘in sheep’s clothing’ cannot hide for long in their disguise because their words and deeds would eventually betray them. The false shepherds present a hidden danger because their lives would only be proof of their hypocrisy and deception. 

Whereas the true shepherds of God, the good trees that yield good fruits, will be known for their spiritual strength with which they will guide the flock of God. They would rely more on their inner holiness and not external appearances. The strong moral compass that animates their being will manifest their capacity for self-examination and commitment in action. It is these people that Jesus calls ‘good trees that produce good fruits.’ 

Let us pray that our spiritual authenticity may be revealed by the spiritual fruits that we may produce in our lives!

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar