In today’s Gospel, Jesus completes the last two woes according to St. Matthew, rebuking harshly the Pharisees and the scribes for their hypocrisy, they who wanted to be honoured, but had no virtues within them to contain the treasures of heaven. Even though they were the Chosen Ones, they did not behave as they should that is as children of God our Heavenly Father.
St. Paul, on the other hand, lives out his calling as an Apostle and a disciple of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who did not come to be served, but to serve. St. Paul leads by example to earn his own keep, so as not to be obligated to anyone, but with purity of body, mind and soul, serve the Lord our God and our brethren wholeheartedly, completely, glorifying the Lord whom he loved and served.
And he is a shining example of how we all should aspire to be, as we care for those whom the Lord has put us in charge to lead, like fathers and mothers who care for their children, just as God our Heavenly Father cares for us all.
Lord, you search me and you know me. Let all that I say and do always bring you glory. Amen.
Saint Monica pray for us…
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First reading
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
We slaved night and day so as not to be a burden on any one of you
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.
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Gospel
Matthew 23:27-32
You are the sons of those who murdered the prophets
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.’
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