‘Come now, let us talk this over,
says the Lord.’ Where else can we find a patient loving God willing to teach and guide us to mend the error of our ways? To become His disciples so we to lead His flock after His own heart with integrity!
Is our leadership steeped in hypocrisy? Do we come late for meetings? Are we truly present? Listening and attentive, or are we distant in our own thoughts, busy with personal work matters. Do we walk the talk? Do we draw attention to ourselves instead of pointing everyone too Christ Jesus our Lord? Are we heading His flock closer to Him by our love and actions. Are we striving for purity beyond reproach?
Walk with me Lord, guide my every thought, word and action. Amen
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, pray for us…
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First reading
Isaiah 1:10,16-20
Cease to do evil; learn to do good
Hear the word of the Lord,
you rulers of Sodom;
listen to the command of our God,
you people of Gomorrah.
‘Wash, make yourselves clean.
Take your wrong-doing out of my sight.
Cease to do evil.
Learn to do good,
search for justice,
help the oppressed,
be just to the orphan,
plead for the widow.
‘Come now, let us talk this over,
says the Lord.
Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
‘If you are willing to obey,
you shall eat the good things of the earth.
But if you persist in rebellion,
the sword shall eat you instead.’
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Gospel
Matthew 23:1-12
They do not practise what they preach
Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.
‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’
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