August 25 Gospel: Mt 23:27–32

Wednesday

21st Week in Ordinary Time
Louis of France / Joseph Calasanz

►1st Reading: 2 Thes 3:6–10, 16–18

We command you, beloved, to stay away from believers who are living in idleness contrary to the traditions we passed on to you. You know how you ought to follow our example: we worked while we were with you. Day and night we labored and toiled so as not to be a burden to any of you. We had the right to act otherwise, but we wanted to give you an example.

Besides, while we were with you, we said clearly: If anyone is not willing to work, neither should that one eat.

May the Lord of peace give you his peace at all times and in every way. May the Lord be with you all.

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is my signature in all my letters. This is how I write.

May the grace of Christ Jesus our Lord be with you.

►Gospel: Mt 23:27–32

Jesus said, “Woe to you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs beautiful in appearance, but inside there are only dead bones and uncleanness. In the same way you appear as religious to others, but you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness within.

“Woe to you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous. You say: Had we lived in the time of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in the blood of prophets. So, you yourselves confess to be kins of those who murdered the prophets. And now, finish off what your ancestors began!”

REFLECTION

“You are like whitewashed tombs which look fine on the outside but are full of bones
and decaying corpses on the inside. In the same way,
on the outside you appear good to everybody,
but inside you are full of hypocrisy and sins.”

It’s easy to play Christian,
to act holy rather than to be holy.
But when it comes to making choices
between giving alms and not, for instance,
being loving and not loving,
then we discover what we really are.