Tuesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 426
Lectionary: 426
You yourselves
know, brothers and sisters,
that our reception among you was not without effect.
Rather, after we had suffered and been insolently treated,
as you know, in Philippi,
we drew courage through our God
to speak to you the Gospel of God with much struggle.
Our exhortation was not from delusion or impure motives,
nor did it work through deception.
But as we were judged worthy by God to be entrusted with the Gospel,
that is how we speak,
not as trying to please men,
but rather God, who judges our hearts.
Nor, indeed, did we ever appear with flattering speech, as you know,
or with a pretext for greed–God is witness–
nor did we seek praise from men,
either from you or from others,
although we were able to impose our weight as Apostles of Christ.
Rather, we were gentle among you,
as a nursing mother cares for her children.
With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you
not only the Gospel of God, but our very selves as well,
so dearly beloved had you become to us.
that our reception among you was not without effect.
Rather, after we had suffered and been insolently treated,
as you know, in Philippi,
we drew courage through our God
to speak to you the Gospel of God with much struggle.
Our exhortation was not from delusion or impure motives,
nor did it work through deception.
But as we were judged worthy by God to be entrusted with the Gospel,
that is how we speak,
not as trying to please men,
but rather God, who judges our hearts.
Nor, indeed, did we ever appear with flattering speech, as you know,
or with a pretext for greed–God is witness–
nor did we seek praise from men,
either from you or from others,
although we were able to impose our weight as Apostles of Christ.
Rather, we were gentle among you,
as a nursing mother cares for her children.
With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you
not only the Gospel of God, but our very selves as well,
so dearly beloved had you become to us.
Responsorial PsalmPS 139:1-3, 4-6
R. (1) You have searched me and you know me, Lord.
O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
R. You have searched me and you know me, Lord.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it.
Behind me and before, you hem me in
and rest your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
too lofty for me to attain.
R. You have searched me and you know me, Lord.
O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
R. You have searched me and you know me, Lord.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it.
Behind me and before, you hem me in
and rest your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
too lofty for me to attain.
R. You have searched me and you know me, Lord.
AlleluiaHEB 4:12
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The word of God is living and effective,
able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The word of God is living and effective,
able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 23:23-26
Jesus said:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin,
and have neglected the weightier things of the law:
judgment and mercy and fidelity.
But these you should have done, without neglecting the others.
Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You cleanse the outside of cup and dish,
but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.
Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup,
so that the outside also may be clean.”
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin,
and have neglected the weightier things of the law:
judgment and mercy and fidelity.
But these you should have done, without neglecting the others.
Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You cleanse the outside of cup and dish,
but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.
Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup,
so that the outside also may be clean.”
Meditation: Do not neglect justice, mercy and faith
Do you allow any blind-spots to blur your vision of God's
kingdom and his ways? Jesus went to the heart of the matter when he called the
religious leaders of his day blind Pharisees andhypocrites!
A hypocrite is an actor or imposter who says one thing but does the opposite or
who puts on an outward appearance of doing good while inwardly clinging to
wrong attitudes, selfish desires and ambitions, or bad intentions. Many scribes
and Pharisees had made it a regular practice to publicly put on a good show of
outward zeal and piety with the intention of winning greater honors,
privileges, and favors among the people. Jesus had a very good reason for
severely rebuking the scribes and Pharisees, the religious teachers and
leaders, for misleading people and neglecting the heart and essence of God's
law - love of God and love of neighbor
What forms our outward practices and habits?
The scribes in particular devoted their whole lives to the study of God's law contained in the five books of Moses (Torah). As the religious experts of their day, they took great pride in their knowledge and outward observance of the commandments and precepts of the law of Moses. They further divided the 613 precepts of the Law of Moses into thousands of tiny rules and regulations. They were so exacting in their interpretations and in trying to live them out, that they had little time for much else. By the time they finished compiling their interpretations it took no less than fifty volumes to contain them! Jesus chastised them for neglecting the more important matters of religion, such as justice and the love of God. In their misguided zeal they had lost sight of God and of his purpose for the law.
The scribes in particular devoted their whole lives to the study of God's law contained in the five books of Moses (Torah). As the religious experts of their day, they took great pride in their knowledge and outward observance of the commandments and precepts of the law of Moses. They further divided the 613 precepts of the Law of Moses into thousands of tiny rules and regulations. They were so exacting in their interpretations and in trying to live them out, that they had little time for much else. By the time they finished compiling their interpretations it took no less than fifty volumes to contain them! Jesus chastised them for neglecting the more important matters of religion, such as justice and the love of God. In their misguided zeal they had lost sight of God and of his purpose for the law.
God's law of love reveals what is truly important and
necessary
Jesus used the example of tithing to show how far they had missed the mark. God had commanded a tithe of the first fruits of one's labor as an expression of thanksgiving and honor for his providential care for his people (Deuteronomy 14:22; Leviticus 27:30). The scribes, however, went to extreme lengths to tithe on insignificant things (such as tiny plants) with great mathematical accuracy. They were very attentive to minute matters of little importance, but they neglected to care for the needy and the weak. Jesus admonished them because their hearts were not right. They were filled with pride and contempt for others who were not like themselves. They put unnecessary burdens on others while neglecting to show charity, especially to the weak and the poor.
Jesus used the example of tithing to show how far they had missed the mark. God had commanded a tithe of the first fruits of one's labor as an expression of thanksgiving and honor for his providential care for his people (Deuteronomy 14:22; Leviticus 27:30). The scribes, however, went to extreme lengths to tithe on insignificant things (such as tiny plants) with great mathematical accuracy. They were very attentive to minute matters of little importance, but they neglected to care for the needy and the weak. Jesus admonished them because their hearts were not right. They were filled with pride and contempt for others who were not like themselves. They put unnecessary burdens on others while neglecting to show charity, especially to the weak and the poor.
The scribes and Pharisees meticulously went through the outward
observance of their religious duties and practices while forgetting the
realities of God's intention and purpose for the law - his love and righteousness
(justice and goodness). Jesus used a humorous example to show how out of
proportion matters had gotten with them. Gnats were considered the smallest of
insects and camels were considered the largest of animals in Palestine. Both
were considered ritually impure. The scribes went to great lengths to avoid
contact with gnats, even to the point of straining the wine cup with a fine
cloth lest they accidently swallowed a gnat. The stark contrast must have drawn
chuckles as well as groans.
God's love shapes our minds and transforms our hearts and
actions
What was the point of Jesus' humorous and important lesson? The essence of God's commandments is rooted in love – love of God and love of neighbor, righteousness (justice and goodness), and mercy. God is love and everything he does, including his justice and goodness, flows from his love for us. True love is costly and sacrificial - it both embraces and lifts the burdens of others. Do you allow the love of God to shape and transform the way you live your daily life - including the way you think of others, speak of them, and treat them?
What was the point of Jesus' humorous and important lesson? The essence of God's commandments is rooted in love – love of God and love of neighbor, righteousness (justice and goodness), and mercy. God is love and everything he does, including his justice and goodness, flows from his love for us. True love is costly and sacrificial - it both embraces and lifts the burdens of others. Do you allow the love of God to shape and transform the way you live your daily life - including the way you think of others, speak of them, and treat them?
"Lord Jesus, fill me with your love and mercy that I may
always think, speak, and treat others with fairness, loving-kindness, patience,
and goodness."
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, MATTHEW 23:23-26
Weekday
(1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Psalm 139)
Weekday
(1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Psalm 139)
KEY VERSE: "Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!" (v 24)
TO KNOW: Jesus lamented the false standards of the scribes and Pharisees who scrupulously adhered to the letter of the law while refusing to obey its spirit. The Mosaic Law commanded that a tithe be paid on the important crops of corn, oil and wine in gratitude for God's blessings (Dt 14:22-23). The religious leaders applied the law to the smallest garden herb. They took great pains with matters that had little importance (a "gnat") while neglecting justice, mercy and fidelity, the law's weightier purpose (a "camel"). Jesus condemned their preoccupation with external purification rituals while ignoring inner holiness. Because they were blind and corrupt, they could not lead others to faith.
TO LOVE: Am I concerned more with my outer appearance than with inner holiness?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, cleanse me of all unrighteousness.
Optional Memorial of Louis of France
At age 12, Louis IX was crowned as the King of France. His mother ruled as regent until he reached age 22. Married at age 19, he was the father of 11 children. Louis was devoted to his people, founding hospitals, visiting the sick and, like his patron St. Francis, caring even for people with leprosy (He is one of the patrons of the Secular Franciscan Order). Louis united France—lords and peasants, priests and knights—by the force of his personality and holiness. For many years the nation was at peace. Louis “took the cross” for a Crusade when he was 30, but perhaps he deserves greater credit for his extending justice in civil administration. Louis died on foreign soil at the age of 44. He was canonized 27 years later.
Optional Memorial of Joseph Calasanz, priest
Joseph Calasanz was a member of the Confraternity for Christian Doctrine. Joseph and two fellow priests opened a small, free school for poor children, many of them orphans and/or homeless. In 1621 the community was recognized as a religious order called Le Sciole Pie (Religious Schools), also known as the Piarists. Some of the ruling class objected that educating the poor would cause social unrest. Other Orders that worked with the poor were afraid they would be absorbed by the Piarists. In his old age, Joseph saw his Order torn apart. When eighty years old, he was led as a criminal through the streets of Rome by the Inquisition. A papal commission charged with examining the Order acquitted Joseph of all accusations, and in 1645, returned him as superior of the Order. The Piarists were reorganized and restored as a religious order in 1669, and continue their good work today
Tuesday 25 August 2015
TUE 25TH.
St Louis IX; St Joseph Calasanz.
1
Thessalonians 2:1-8. You have searched me and you know me, Lord—Ps
138(139):1-3, 4-6. Matthew 23:23-26.
This is
part of a long indictment of hypocritical behaviour.
When we
have pondered the hatefulness of what Jesus charges them with, it is
embarrassing to realise he might turn his accusations against us. He denounces
two forms of insincerity. The Pharisees do little things to escape from doing
big things. They are scrupulous in observing minor points of law: they think
nothing of offending God in serious matters. We may find ourselves among those,
for example, who are never impolite but often unkind.
Jesus
accuses the Pharisees of keeping rules without thought of the values that the
rules protect or enforce. We can make our own list of laws that we might keep
to the letter but practise without the spirit.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
|
From Sadness to Joy
|
Lord, in good times and bad, draw me closer to you. Let me trust
in you to turn my mourning into joy and gladness.
August
25
St. Louis of France
(1226-1270)
St. Louis of France
(1226-1270)
At his coronation as king of France, Louis IX bound himself by
oath to behave as God’s anointed, as the father of his people and feudal lord
of the King of Peace. Other kings had done the same, of course. Louis was
different in that he actually interpreted his kingly duties in the light of
faith. After the violence of two previous reigns, he brought peace and justice.
He was
crowned king at 12, at his father’s death. His mother, Blanche of Castile,
ruled during his minority. When he was 19 and his bride 12, he was married to
Marguerite of Provence. It was a loving marriage, though not without challenge.
They had 11 children.
Louis
“took the cross” for a Crusade when he was 30. His army seized Damietta
ini Egypt but not long after, weakened by dysentery and without support, they
were surrounded and captured. Louis obtained the release of the army by giving
up the city of Damietta in addition to paying a ransom. He stayed in Syria four
years.
He
deserves credit for extending justice in civil administration. His regulations
for royal officials became the first of a series of reform laws. He
replaced trial by battle with a form of examination of witnesses and encouraged
the use of written records in court.
Louis was
always respectful of the papacy, but defended royal interests against the popes
and refused to acknowledge Innocent IV’s sentence against Emperor Frederick II.
Louis was
devoted to his people, founding hospitals, visiting the sick and, like his
patron St. Francis (October 4), caring even for people with leprosy. (He is one
of the patrons of the Secular Franciscan Order.) Louis united France—lords and
townsfolk, peasants and priests and knights—by the force of his personality and
holiness. For many years the nation was at peace.
Every day
Louis had 13 special guests from among the poor to eat with him, and a large
number of poor were served meals near his palace. During Advent and Lent, all
who presented themselves were given a meal, and Louis often served them in
person. He kept lists of needy people, whom he regularly relieved, in every
province of his dominion.
Disturbed
by new Muslim advances in Syria, he led another crusade in 1267, at the age of
41. His crusade was diverted to Tunis for his brother’s sake. The army was
decimated by disease within a month, and Louis himself died on foreign soil at
the age of 44. He was canonized 27 years later.
Story:
Every day Louis had thirteen special guests from among the poor to
eat with him, and a large number of poor were served meals near his palace.
During Advent and Lent, all who presented themselves were given a meal, and
Louis often served them in person. He kept lists of needy people, whom he
regularly relieved, in every province of his dominion.
Comment:
Louis was strong-willed, strong-minded. His word was trusted utterly, and his courage in action was remarkable. What is most remarkable was his sense of respect for anyone with whom he dealt, especially the “humble folk of the Lord.” To care for his people he built cathedrals, churches, libraries, hospitals and orphanages. He dealt with princes honestly and equitably. He hoped to be treated the same way by the King of Kings, to whom he gave his life, his family and his country.
Louis was strong-willed, strong-minded. His word was trusted utterly, and his courage in action was remarkable. What is most remarkable was his sense of respect for anyone with whom he dealt, especially the “humble folk of the Lord.” To care for his people he built cathedrals, churches, libraries, hospitals and orphanages. He dealt with princes honestly and equitably. He hoped to be treated the same way by the King of Kings, to whom he gave his life, his family and his country.
Patron Saint of:
Barbers
Grooms
Barbers
Grooms
LECTIO DIVINA:
MATTHEW 23,23-26
Lectio:
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father,
help us to seek the values
that will bring us enduring joy in this changing world.
In our desire for what you promise
make us one in mind and heart.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
help us to seek the values
that will bring us enduring joy in this changing world.
In our desire for what you promise
make us one in mind and heart.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 23,23-26
Jesus said: 'Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you
hypocrites! You pay your tithe of mint and dill and cummin and have neglected
the weightier matters of the Law-justice, mercy, good faith! These you should
have practised, those not neglected. You blind guides, straining out gnats and
swallowing camels!
'Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of cup and dish and leave the inside full of extortion and intemperance. Blind Pharisee! Clean the inside of cup and dish first so that it and the outside are both clean.
'Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of cup and dish and leave the inside full of extortion and intemperance. Blind Pharisee! Clean the inside of cup and dish first so that it and the outside are both clean.
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today presents two other times that this expression
was used: ‘Alas for you...’ when Jesus speaks against the religious leaders of
his time. The two ‘Alas for you...’ of today denounce the lack of coherence
between word and attitude, between exterior and interior. Today we continue our
reflection which we begun yesterday.
• Matthew 23, 23-24: The fifth ‘Alas for you...’ against those who insist on the observance and forget mercy. You pay your tithe of mint and dill and cummin and have neglected the weightier matters of the Law: justice, mercy and fidelity”. This fifth ‘Alas for you...’ of Jesus is against the religious leaders of that time and can be repeated against many religious of the following century even up to our time. Many times, in the name of Jesus, we insist on details and we forget mercy. For example, Jansenism reduces lived faith to something arid, insisting on the observance and penance which led people away from the way of love. The Carmelite Sister Teresa of Lisieux grew in the Jansenism environment which marked France at the end of the XIX century. Beginning from a personal painful experience, she knew how to recover the gratuity of love of God, a force which should animate the observance of the norms from within; because without love, the observance makes an idol of God.
• Matthew 23, 25-26: The sixth ‘Alas for you...’ against those who clean things on the outside and are dirty inside. “You clean the outside of the cup and dish and leave the inside full of extortion and intemperance. In the Sermon on the Mountain, Jesus criticises those who observe the letter of the Law and transgress the spirit of the Law. He says: "You have heard how it was said to our ancestors, You shall not kill, and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say to you anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court. Anyone who calls his brother ‘Fool’ will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and anyone who calls him ‘Traitor’ will answer for it in hell fire. You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery, but I say this to you, if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Mt 5, 21-22. 27-28). It is not sufficient to observe the letter of the Law. It is not sufficient not to kill, not to rob, not to commit adultery, not to swear in order to be faithful to what God asks of us. The one who observes fully the Law of God is the one who, besides observing the letter, goes deeply to the root and pulls out from within “the desires of extortion and intemperance” which may lead to murder, theft, and adultery. The fullness of the law is realized in the practice of love.
• Matthew 23, 23-24: The fifth ‘Alas for you...’ against those who insist on the observance and forget mercy. You pay your tithe of mint and dill and cummin and have neglected the weightier matters of the Law: justice, mercy and fidelity”. This fifth ‘Alas for you...’ of Jesus is against the religious leaders of that time and can be repeated against many religious of the following century even up to our time. Many times, in the name of Jesus, we insist on details and we forget mercy. For example, Jansenism reduces lived faith to something arid, insisting on the observance and penance which led people away from the way of love. The Carmelite Sister Teresa of Lisieux grew in the Jansenism environment which marked France at the end of the XIX century. Beginning from a personal painful experience, she knew how to recover the gratuity of love of God, a force which should animate the observance of the norms from within; because without love, the observance makes an idol of God.
• Matthew 23, 25-26: The sixth ‘Alas for you...’ against those who clean things on the outside and are dirty inside. “You clean the outside of the cup and dish and leave the inside full of extortion and intemperance. In the Sermon on the Mountain, Jesus criticises those who observe the letter of the Law and transgress the spirit of the Law. He says: "You have heard how it was said to our ancestors, You shall not kill, and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say to you anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court. Anyone who calls his brother ‘Fool’ will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and anyone who calls him ‘Traitor’ will answer for it in hell fire. You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery, but I say this to you, if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Mt 5, 21-22. 27-28). It is not sufficient to observe the letter of the Law. It is not sufficient not to kill, not to rob, not to commit adultery, not to swear in order to be faithful to what God asks of us. The one who observes fully the Law of God is the one who, besides observing the letter, goes deeply to the root and pulls out from within “the desires of extortion and intemperance” which may lead to murder, theft, and adultery. The fullness of the law is realized in the practice of love.
4) Personal questions
• There are two expressions of ‘Alas for you...’ two reasons to
receive the criticism from Jesus. Which of these two applies to me?
• Observance and gratuity: Which of these applies to me?
• Observance and gratuity: Which of these applies to me?
5) Concluding Prayer
Proclaim God’s salvation day after day,
declare his glory among the nations,
his marvels to every people! (Ps 96,2-3)
declare his glory among the nations,
his marvels to every people! (Ps 96,2-3)
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