What kind of disciples are we?
Are we disciples who are spiritually dead? Do we kill the spirit of others with harsh critiques? Do we make demands of others we ourselves are unable to comply? Do we expect perfection in others when we ourselves are imperfect?
Or are we life giving disciples? In every aspect of our lives be in in word or deed. Are we witnesses to life found in Christ? Do we bring forth fruits of our labour through our sacrifices for our brethren and God our Father? Are we worthy guardians of His children? Are we worthy children ourselves?
Let us pray….
Know that he, the LORD, is God. He made us; we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
You O Lord are the source of life! Grant that I may always be in communion with You. And through Your sanctifying, life giving grace I will serve Your flock bringing forth; Your peace, love and joy. Amen
First reading
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Let me remind you, brothers, how hard we used to work, slaving night and day so as not to be a burden on any one of you while we were proclaiming God’s Good News to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, that our treatment of you, since you became believers, has been impeccably right and fair. You can remember how we treated every one of you as a father treats his children, teaching you what was right, encouraging you and appealing to you to live a life worthy of God, who is calling you to share the glory of his kingdom. Another reason why we constantly thank God for you is that as soon as you heard the message that we brought you as God’s message, you accepted it for what it really is, God’s message and not some human thinking; and it is still a living power among you who believe it.
Gospel
Matthew 23:27-32
Jesus said, ‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who are like whitewashed tombs that look handsome on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of corruption. In the same way you appear to people from the outside like good honest men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who build the sepulchres of the prophets and decorate the tombs of holy men, saying, “We would never have joined in shedding the blood of the prophets, had we lived in our fathers’ day.” So! Your own evidence tells against you! You are the sons of those who murdered the prophets! Very well then, finish off the work that your fathers began.’
CatholicJules.net 