25 Aug
Tue
21st Week in Ordinary Time
1 Thess 2:1-8
Ps. 138(139):1-3,4-6
Mt. 23:23-26
(Ps Wk I)
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Pronouncing a 'woe' on someone or some group is an expression of grief at their sorry state and warning of the bad consequences that will follow. In today's gospel passage, Jesus' continues his woes against the scribes and Pharisees. Through the fourth woe, Jesus criticizes them for neglecting the more important concerns of the law, namely, justice, mercy and faithfulness and for being obsessed with calculating the religious taxes paid on vegetables and spices. The fifth woe contrasts the concern of the scribes and Pharisees with the ritual purity of the vessels used at meals against their moral purity. According to Jesus, among the scribes and Pharisees, the gap between external appearance and internal reality is wide.

In the first reading, Paul is aware that the people of Thessalonica are wary of wandering preachers. The people mistrusted these preachers who had a tendency towards flattery, greed and seeking praise. Through his letter, Paul wishes to distinguish himself from the preachers. He stresses that his reason for preaching is not for any personal gain but to do what God entrusted him. In doing so, he sought to please God, and not his audience. According to Paul, among the wandering preachers, the gap between external appearance and internal reality is wide.

What about us? Is there a gap between our external appearance and our inner reality? As Christians, do we practice what we preach to others or we ourselves expect from others? Let us answer these questions honestly lest Jesus pronounces a 'woe against us.




Lord, help me be an authentic disciple.




DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That volunteers may give themselves generously to the service of the needy.
Elaboration

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