Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Ideological Bias

(Wolves in sheep's clothing)

WHEN the Lord asked to beware of false prophets as avoiding ravening wolves, it is because they truly existed and still exist even today. There are people who even use Church garb to appear in sheep's clothing. The truth is as Jesus clearly proves. You know them from their fruits.

They sow conflict, anger, bloodshed, and disharmony instead of love, unity, reconciliation and harmony which the Church endeavors to propagate. They do not respect the voice of Church authorities. All they care is to have the name of creating disharmony. Beware then of the wolves in sheep's clothing which deceive the people by their false arguments and imposing language. But it's humility that is on the side of truth and love. In the terms of St. Paul: "Love is humble, patient and forgiving" (1 Cor. 13:4). Jesus emphasizes how we recognize them: "I repeat, you will be able to tell them by their fruits" (cf. Mt. 7: 15-20). " A sound tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a rotten tree bear good fruit" (Mt. 7:18).

The Church always prays for love and reconciliation. Such is the tune she prays in Jesus' name. I even heard it at a pledge of loyalty of one commencement exercise in a Catholic School: "We, the Graduates, pledge fidelity to God, our heavenly Father, to remain His sons and daughters, faithfully upholding the Christian ideals of truth, justice and charity and fostering all that would promote fraternal peace and unity."

"Do all you can to live at peace with everyone" (Rom. 12:18), is a constant advice of St. Paul. One graduation song reminded us: "Only love can make you free; as simple as a child you will never fear coz someone's at your side; the strength is unity, so come and fly with me." Yes, in all humility, promote unity, not disunity. "Live by the truth and in love so as to grow to the full maturity of Christ, the head" (Eph. 4:15). "Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me....With me in them and you in me, may they be so completely one that the world will realize that it was you who sent me and that I have loved them as much as you loved me" (Jn. 17:21).

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