The Collect
O GOD, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle (Romans viii. 12)
BRETHREN, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
The Gospel (St. Matthew vii. 15)
BEWARE of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Trinity VIII - Message in a Minute
We learn from today's readings that the disciples were told by Jesus that he was going to Jerusalem to be killed and they refused to believe him. They thought he was really a prophet from God, but they could not imagine that the fruit of his ministry was going to be found in his execution. As a result, the Transfiguration serves as a way of trying to convince the disciples that Jesus was really going to die in Jerusalem. His death was the will of God, and the Scriptures -- the Law and the Prophets -- bore witness to it.
It is not always easy to discern what the will of God is in our lives. We cannot always be certain that any particular thing we say or decision we make or act that we perform is going to produce good fruit and make us appear as good trees in the forest of God. But as faith-filled believers we are at least called to try.
+++
