By Emmanuel Eko
In his homily delivered on June 26, 2024, at the St. Gabriel Chaplaincy, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja, the CBCN Secretary for Education, CSN, Rev. Fr. Dominic Umo, emphasized the importance of discerning false prophets within the Christian community. Drawing his reflection from St Matthew’s Gospel, 7:15, where Jesus warns against false prophets who appear benign but are inwardly dangerous, he underscored the challenge Christians face in distinguishing genuine from deceitful spiritual leaders.
The homilist elaborated on the analogy of wolves in sheep’s clothing, illustrating how false prophets camouflage their true intentions with an outward appearance of righteousness. Referencing the biblical passage, he highlighted Jesus’s teaching that a tree is known by its fruit—emphasizing that good prophets will bear good fruit, while deceitful ones will produce harmful outcomes.
Fr. Umo also referenced Israel’s cultural understanding of wolves as sly and deceptive creatures, drawing a parallel to the behavior of false prophets who manipulate appearances to mislead believers. He urged the congregation, whom he described as disciples of Christ, to remain vigilant and discerning, ensuring they follow teachings that align with the genuine message of Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, Fr. Umo’s homily served as a reminder to the faithful to exercise caution and wisdom in spiritual matters, urging them to rely on discernment guided by biblical teachings to avoid being misled by false prophets.