Tuesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary
Time
Lectionary: 426
Reading 1
We ask you, brothers and sisters,
with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
and our assembling with him,
not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly,
or to be alarmed either by a “spirit,” or by an oral statement,
or by a letter allegedly from us
to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.
Let no one deceive you in any way.
To this end he has also called you through our Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm
and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught,
either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,
who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement
and good hope through his grace,
encourage your hearts and strengthen them
in every good deed and word.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (13b) The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Say among the nations: The Lord is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Before the Lord, for he comes;
for he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The word of God is living and effective,
able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
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.”
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082520.cfm
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 and hypocrites! 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 Mosesinto 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.
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
accidentally 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?
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.
Daily
Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Neglecting Weighty Matters of Love and
Justice, by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)
"Not
only among the Jews but among ourselves as well, we find people sinning in
these ways. They are swallowing camels. People of this type frequently show off
their religion even in the smallest of things. They are rightly called
hypocrites for wanting to exploit their religiosity before men but being
unwilling to undertake that very faith which God himself has justified.
Therefore the imitators of the scribes and Pharisees must be dislodged and sent
away from us, lest a woe touches us in the same way it touches them. The scribes
could be described as those who valued nothing found in the Scriptures except
its plain sense interpreted legalistically. Meanwhile they condemn those who
look into the very depths of God himself. Mint and dill and cummin are only
spices for food but are not themselves substantial food. What substantive food
would mean in conversion would be that which is necessary for the justification
of our souls - faith and love - unlike these legalisms, which are more like
condiments and flavorings. It is as if a meal might be thought to consist more
of condiments and flavorings than the food itself. The seriousness of judgment
is neglected while great attention is given to minor matters. Spiritual
exercises which in and of themselves are hardly justice are spoken of as
justice and compassion and faith. It is lacking in justice to treat these small
parts as the whole. When we do not offer to God the observance of all that is
necessary for worship, we fail altogether." (excerpt from COMMENTARY
ON MATTHEW 19-20)
https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2020&date=aug25
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, MATTHEW 23:27-32
Weekday
(2 Thessalonians 2:1-3a, 14-17; Psalm 96)
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 Saint Louis of France
At age 12, Louis IX was crowned as the King of France. Louis bound himself by oath to behave as God’s anointed, as the father of his people and feudal lord of the King of Peace. 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 Saint 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 Saint Joseph Calasanz, priest
Joseph Calasanz, a member of the Confraternity for Christian Doctrine, 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. When the struggle within the institute persisted, the Piarists were suppressed. Only after Joseph’s death were they formally recognized as a religious community. The Piarists were restored as a religious order in 1669, and continue their good work today.
http://www.togetherwithgodsword.com/commentaries-on-the-daily-gospel-of-the-mass.html
Tuesday 25 August 2020
St Louis IX; St Joseph Calasanz
2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 14-17. The Lord comes to judge the earth
– Psalm 95(96):10-13. Matthew 23:23-26.
O God, you search me and you know me.
There was a small girl who went to stay with her grandmother for
a holiday. In the room where she slept there was a text on the wall that said:
‘God is watching you.’ Her grandmother noticed the child seemed reluctant to go
to bed and gently questioned her one evening. ‘It’s that picture that says God
is spying on me’, she said.
‘Oh, my darling, God isn’t spying! He just thinks you are so
wonderful, he can’t keep his eyes off you.’ We know God loves us, and we don’t
want to disappoint him. At the end of this psalm, we ask God to know our heart
and to guide us in everlasting ways. Lord, this is my prayer.
http://www.pray.com.au/gospel_reflection/tuesday-25-august-2020/
Saint Louis IX of France
Saint of the Day for August 25
(April 25, 1214 – August 25, 1270)
HDR photo of the Apotheosis of St. Louis | Sculpture by C.H. Niehaus
Saint Louis of France’s Story
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.
Louis “took the cross” for a Crusade when he was 30. His army
seized Damietta in 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.
Louis 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 Saint Francis, 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 56. He was canonized 27 years later.
Reflection
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.
Saint Louis of France is the Patron Saint of:
Barbers
Grooms
Secular Franciscan Order
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-louis-of-france/
Lectio Divina: Matthew 23:23-26
Lectio Divina
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
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.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 23:23-26
Jesus said: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you
hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cumin, 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."
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today presents two other times when this expression
is used: “Alas for you...” Jesus speaks against the religious leaders of His
time. The two uses today denounce the lack of coherence between word and
attitude, between exterior and interior. Today we continue our reflection which
we began yesterday.
• Matthew 23:23-24: The fifth “Alas for you...” is against those who insist
on observance and forget mercy. “You pay your tithe of mint and dill and
cumin 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 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 Saint Therese of Lisieux grew in the
Jansenist environment which marked France at the end of the XIX century.
Beginning from a personal painful experience, she learned how to reclaim the
gratuitous 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...” is 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 Mount, Jesus criticizes 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 enough 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 declarations of “Alas for you...”, two reasons
to receive criticism from Jesus. Which of these two applies to me?
• Observance and gratuity: Which of these applies to me?
• Do these admonitions paint for me a bigger picture of not only avoiding sin,
but of internal purification and a life of virtue?
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)
https://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/lectio-divina-matthew-2323-26
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