267 part i: sunday meditations for the entire year In this way he usually deceives many now also, to whom he holds out weakness as a pretext, that they would not take upon themselves mortifications; he inspires concern for a good name, lest they be eager to be condemned; he promises Heaven as already guaranteed, that they would not strive for it any more. Alas! It is a wolf, and not a sheep! Therefore, ask the Lord at the sacred table, that He would impart to you the light to distinguish sheep from wolves, good things from evil ones. After Holy Communion 1. “You will know them by their fruits” (Mt 7:16). Behold the Lord already shows you the way to recognize false prophets (namely the impact of senses, thoughts and inspirations) when He teaches that they are to be judged by their effects, consequences and fruits. For just as He Himself said: “An evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit, and a good (tree) evil (fruit)” (cf. Mt 7:18), thus the end of good inspirations and thoughts is very good and the result of evil ones is very bad. Hence, you should not think that the contemplation and illumination that freed you from contrition, obedience, and self-contempt was from God. You should not judge as good any ecstasies, raptures, and visions that do not make you good or better than you are. Do not believe anything to be holiness which does not have charity, and which lacks humility. [f.70v] 2. “Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit, shall be cut down” (Mt 7:19). Consider yourself as placed in this religious community, like a tree planted in God’s garden. Moreover, lest you fall into a crisis of your vocation, lest you undergo the danger of being cut down, observe which fruits and what kinds you are going to bring forth here. You should fear the sad case of those who, because of the neglect of their vocation, were cut down and cast out from the beautiful garden of Christ, like unfruitful or wild trees. Where-
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