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!”
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is for Jacqueline Roberts RIP.
Reflection: Mother Elvira Petrozzi, foundress of Comunita Cenacolo, once wrote: “To be true witnesses and proclaim Him to those who still don’t know Him, we must begin to listen to Jesus, without telling ourselves any more lies”. In today’s Gospel, Jesus expressed His ire with those who were self-righteous like the scribes and Pharisees. They do not want to listen to the Lord who once said, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’ (Matthew 9:13). Their strict adherence to the Law and the rituals of their religion was only for show. Their piety was only done to attract attention and win people’s praise. It was not at all for the glory of God. The scribes and Pharisees kept telling themselves lies.
How can we start listening to Jesus and avoid the “leaven of the Pharisees” (Mark 8:15)? St Jane Frances de Chantal said, “In prayer we should freely unburden ourselves to God, telling Him…in the most familiar and confidential way everything, great and small, of heaven or of earth, much or little…Seeing that divine providence governs all and that we can do nothing without its aid, it is wise to confer with God, for whatever good comes to us in any way comes from Him. Let there be no timidity in our supplications. He does not like it…”.
• When was the last time you have done an Examination of Conscience?
• How did you feel after doing an Examination of Conscience?
• How open are you to God in prayer?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Forgive us for the times when we did something good just to be popular. Grant us the grace to always listen to You and offer everything we do, think, and say for Your glory. Amen.
Fraternally,
Pietro
