CatholicJules.net

Is it possible to hear the word of God and not be changed? transformed? To preach or share the good news and yet not do or act in accordance with the Scriptures? To receive communion and yet not be in communion with the Church and the body of Christ? What good can come from an appearance of holiness? Unearned respect or recognition? Repent and let hearts of stone be turned into flesh!

The true Holy people of God live not in the foreground, they are too busy with works of mercy and service to God our Father. And so the light of Christ shines through them for nothing is hidden or lying in darkness.

Lord Jesus help me remain steadfast in Your love, let me honour and serve You and my brethren in humility and love all the days of my life. Amen

FIRST READING
2 Thessalonians 3:6–10, 16–18

GOSPEL
Matthew 23:27–32

Jesus said,
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’ Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets; now fill up what your ancestors measured out!”

Inspired by the Holy Spirit the sacred traditions of our Church have been preserved throughout the centuries. Most will never change especially the ones instituted by our Lord, others with new inspirations from our living God are changed to draw us closer to Him in the present changing time. Knowing that it all comes from our Lord, can we pick and choose what we want to follow and what we don’t? Can we use the excuse of a lack of understanding or ignorance? And then make no effort to learn? Or do we follow them blindly with our hearts and minds disengaged?

Every time we read and reflect on the Word of God and every Eucharistic celebration we attend will and must transform us. For we are drawn into His love and His grace; And that very love and grace will fill our hearts so that we in turn can love everyone especially the least of our brethren. If reading the Word and attending the Eucharistic celebration does nothing for us, if it does not change us in any way or change our attitude towards others then we can be sure our hearts and minds are fully occupied with everything else not from or of God. It could also be a sign of us still holding on to our unrepentant sinful lives. We need to be reconciled with God our heavenly Father.

Lord Jesus let might sights be set only on heavenly things and my heart fully engaged in loving and serving You. Amen

FIRST READING
2 Thessalonians 2:1–3a, 14–17

GOSPEL
Matthew 23:23–26

Jesus said:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. But these you should have done, without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self–indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.”