RAVENOUS WOLVES
While speaking of false prophets, Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves” (Mt 7:15-16). Because of the serious damage the false prophets cause, Jesus compared them to ravenous wolves.
Ezekiel spoke of the bad rulers of Jerusalem as wolves: “Within her, her officials are like wolves tearing prey, shedding blood and destroying lives to extort profit” (Ezek 22:27). Jesus sent his disciples “like sheep in the midst of wolves” (Mt 10:16). Here the wolves are those who oppose the evangelization. Jesus highlighted the seriousness of the damage that these “wolves” cause by using the adjective “ravenous.”
REFLECTION
We will also face dangerous “wolves” directly or in a disguised form in “sheep’s clothing’ in our faith journey. Jesus warned his disciples, “Many false prophets will arise and deceive many; and because of the increase of evildoing, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved” (Mt 24:11-13).