United States Conference of Secular institutes

USCSI REFLECTIONS

Matthew 7:15-20

Twice Jesus says, “By their fruits you will know them.”He does not indicate where you will find them. Of course this may mean that good trees and good fruit are found in surprising places. In the Gospel of Mark there is a story about a man who is casting out demons in Jesus’ name although he is not part of the chosen twelve disciples. When the disciples com­plain about him, Jesus responds and says that whoever is not against us is for us. Here is a tree bearing good fruit, a true prophet, though he is not part of the twelve. Good trees and good fruit can be found in surprising places.