12th Week in Ordinary Time : Wednesday 22nd June 2022

King Josiah is in the process of renovating the temple when the book of the law is found. When he hears the content, he judges his ancestors by their standards and becomes fearful for Judah’s future. He realises that the nation deserves God’s anger because his ancestors did not obey the law of God. King Josiah sends the Book of Law to the Prophetess Huldah who predicts that Judah will be punished for its history of sin, but the nation will only be destroyed after his death, since the king repented.

Jesus warns about two types of disciples who, despite the external similarities, live different lives before God. He reminds us that the Church is made up of true and false disciples. The demands of true discipleship attract only a few, while the comfortable path of false discipleship draws a crowd. False prophets, teachers and leaders love the influence and power of leadership in the Church. They embrace the parts of the Gospel which make life easy and exciting but shun the commandments of Christ, which makes life difficult and demanding.

When they come into the sheepfold of Christ, they give the impression of being good and caring disciples, but they are full of destructive self-centeredness. Therefore, they can lead their followers to destruction. They are the wolves that will scatter and consume the flock. Only the final judgment will ultimately separate the true and false disciples.

Lord, help me be a true disciple.

9 days Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus – 7th Day – click here
Theme: Wednesday 22 June: Jesus moves towards His cross