Greetings on this the Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16; Psalm 106:1b-2, 3-4a, 4b-5; Matthew 7:21-29
Summary
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers (MT 8:22-23).’
Works – but with what intentionality and where is the love?
- Did we not prophesy in your name?
- Did we not drive out demons in your name?
- Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?
Encountering these sacred words of Jesus remembering the question of Know them by their fruits reveals the deeper discernment test: So by their fruits you will know them (MT 7:20). The first fruit of all fruits is Jesus himself.
Evangelization
Vatican City, Jun 24, 2025 / 13:12 pm
Pope Leo XIV in a message to the Order of Malta underlined the order’s religious character, stressing that without evangelization, the knights’ service to the poor is merely philanthropy.
“Do not limit yourself to helping the needs of the poor, but announce to them the love of God with words and testimony. If this were to be lacking, the order would lose its religious character and would be reduced to being an organization with philanthropic purposes,” Leo wrote in a message to the order on the feast of its patron saint, St. John the Baptist.
Reflection
Today’s words of Jesus are, at the least, startling. Who among us is perfectly aligned with the Divine Will at all times and in all ways? But quickly we are reassured with the words of Pope Leo XIV. Charity without evangelization is merely philanthropy.
There is nothing wrong with Philanthropy. It is something all persons are obligated to do. But for one professing Christ, our philanthropy must be root in love and specifically the love as expressed in the Sacred Heart of Jesus (our Solemnity tomorrow). Love that is self-giving, sacrificial, total and forgiving. With this type of intentionality the person will be ‘known’ by the Lord.
The test is not if the act is good alone but the purpose and intention of the act must possess goodness and the movement toward goodness at its core. Yes, there are edge cases and unusual circumstances (see article below). But the lion’s share of our efforts and the needs are not ‘edge cases’ at all but straight forward calls to love and serve in the name and power of Jesus Christ.
Another article worth reading concerning ‘edge’ cases: https://www.kff.org/news-summary/pope-says-condoms-are-justified-in-some-cases-to-prevent-hiv-infection/
Personal Reflection
Imperfection in our actions is not a reason to fail to act. Rather, act in accordance with your conscience. Let, though, your conscience be guided by the divine love. Let not your good be hollowed out by self-interest and mere apparent good. Rather, let your good be Hallowed with the divine blessing.
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062625.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry