Memorial of Don Lorenzo Milani (+1967), a Florentine priest, prior in Barbiana, where he was a teacher of the children and youth of the Popular School he founded.

Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

This is the Gospel of the poor,
liberation for the imprisoned,
sight for the blind,
freedom for the oppressed.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Matthew 7,15-20

'Beware of false prophets who come to you disguised as sheep but underneath are ravenous wolves. You will be able to tell them by their fruits. Can people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, a sound tree produces good fruit but a rotten tree bad fruit. A sound tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a rotten tree bear good fruit. Any tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown on the fire. I repeat, you will be able to tell them by their fruits.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The Son of Man came to serve,
whoever wants to be great
should become servant of all.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Jesus warns of the danger of allowing oneself to be lured by false prophets, that is, by those people or that way of life that appears easier and immediate, but which in reality steals life precisely like a predatory wolf. One is reminded of the many 'enchanters' who in many parts, especially in poorer countries, preach what is called the 'religion of prosperity.' A preaching that deceives and does not save. On the contrary, it deludes and harms. So, Jesus also warns the disciples to beware of the behaviour of the Pharisees. That is, from an outward or ritualistic way of living the faith or conforming to the mentality of the world. Many Christians believe they are living the Gospel by enclosing themselves in their own little enclosure. We must not forget that temptations always present themselves as flattering and reasonable, like wolves dressed as lambs. How can we unmask them? Jesus indicates a sure criterion: "You will know them by their fruits." False prophecies are all those suggestions and solicitations that make life sterile, incapable of producing good fruit either for oneself or for others. The Apostle Paul lists the works that arise from those who allow themselves to be led by the carnal spirit, that is, of self-love: fornication, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, enmities, discord, jealousy, dissensions, divisions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies. And immediately afterwards he lists those that flow from those who allow themselves to be guided by the Spirit, by the Gospel: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-mastery. And he closes, "If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit" (Gal 5:19-26).