If we claim to be disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ then are we not to emulate our Master? Who worked tirelessly for the building of the Kingdom of God our Heavenly Father through the salvation of souls; sacrificing limb and life! Did His Apostles and disciples not do likewise? Are we then expecting to receive everything without work? Where is the thanksgiving? Where is the communion? Where is the adoration of our Lord? Where is the love for one another? Have we taken our faith for granted?
What are we offering up to the Lord our God today? Are we offering ourselves as living sacrifices acceptable to Him? How so?
What are we doing when we rush to register for formation talks or lessons on scripture but either do not commit to attending or if we do attend we keep whatever we learnt to ourselves? Why register to attend a Eucharistic Celebration with limited slots due to the pandemic but choose instead to go for a family gathering held at the same time or because we just felt too lazy to go? Why rally others to pray for the poor, the sick and suffering when we will not lift a finger to help the very folks we pray for? Are we criticising our parish for lacking in many ways but are doing nothing ourselves to help effect change by getting involved? Have we taken up leadership positions but are far from leading by example and further away from the leadership of Christ whom we say we serve? Are we more concerned about politicking and gossip? Have we not ‘killed’ the prophets amongst us by our own gossip and prejudices? Do we continue to make excuses for our sins, for all that we have done and all that we have failed to do?
Turn my heart to You O Lord, let me be as You have me be. Amen
First reading
2 Thessalonians 3:6-10,16-18 ·We worked night and day not to be a burden on youIn the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we urge you, brothers, to keep away from any of the brothers who refuses to work or to live according to the tradition we passed on to you. You know how you are supposed to imitate us: now we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we ever have our meals at anyone’s table without paying for them; no, we worked night and day, slaving and straining, so as not to be a burden on any of you. This was not because we had no right to be, but in order to make ourselves an example for you to follow. We gave you a rule when we were with you: do not let anyone have any food if he refuses to do any work. May the Lord of peace himself give you peace all the time and in every way. The Lord be with you all. From me, PAUL, these greetings in my own handwriting, which is the mark of genuineness in every letter; this is my own writing. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Gospel
Matthew 23:27-32You are the sons of those who murdered the prophetsJesus 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.’
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