Wednesday August 26
Wednesday of 21st Week of Ordinary Time
NO HYPOCRISY!
Introduction
Our guide should be the solid traditions of our faith, not private revelations.
We probably agree with Jesus’ strong condemnation of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. But hypocrisy is still with us today. The whitewashing of tombs goes on, and from an individual corruption it has pervaded society itself. The wrongs of the state, and the Church too, are covered up. Injustices and exploitation are passed over in silence or are condemned in such general terms that even oppressors agree. We close our eyes and our consciences are undisturbed because we think we have no share in the evil that goes on. Our deeds do not match our words.
Opening Prayer
Just and merciful God,
you know what is in us.
Forgive us that often we are so busy
that we have no time to stop and look back
to those who are too tired to follow.
Forgive us that we condemn
without having tried to understand.
Let justice and mercy and service
not be the business of others
but our concern and our life
on account of him who told us
to look for him in others,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
First Reading: 2 Thes 3:6-10, 16-18
We instruct you, brothers, in the name of [our] Lord Jesus Christ, to shun any brother who conducts himself in a disorderly way and not according to the tradition they received from us.[b] 7 For you know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you, 8 nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you. 9 Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. 10 In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat. May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. This greeting is in my own hand, Paul’s. This is the sign in every letter; this is how I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
Responsorial Psalm 128:1-2, 4-5
R. Happy are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him.
You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
R. Happy are those who fear the Lord.
Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the LORD.
May the LORD bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
R. Happy are those who fear the Lord.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If today you hear his voice,
Harden not your hearts.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mt 23:27-32
Jesus said: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!
Commentary
What exactly Paul refers to as disorderly conduct is not clear, but if the context is any key then it would point to laziness and an unwillingness “to carry one’s load.” Paul did not want to be a burden on the young community, and therefore he worked arduously to provide for himself and never asked for anything from the community.
It happens in life that some people are continually dependent on others for their needs, and the word work finds little resonance in their lives. They have never found their own way and have no desire to do so.
Unfortunately, there are those who encourage such listlessness by providing for the needs of such people. Whether it be simply lack of motivation or some sort of mental illness, there are people who pass from childhood to adulthood and never leave home.
A work ethic is a commendable part of one’s character. It provides for self and family but should never become the controlling factor in life. Rest and relaxation are essential ingredients of the good life. We want to be active and productive and not those who are unhealthily dependent on others. To fail to carry our burden in life is what Paul would designate “disorderly conduct.” It falls short of what a Christian is called to be.
Points to Ponder
Sloth as a vice
Being productively talented
Encouraging a listless life
Intercessions
– For all those who bear witness to the truth, that the Spirit may put the right words in their mouths, we pray:
– For all of us, that we may do our work and tasks in life conscientiously and with zeal, we pray:
– For us all who celebrate the eucharist, that the Lord Jesus may make us authentic and trustworthy persons, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
because he could not be swayed
from his purpose to make people truly free in you,
your Son paid with his life,
but you raised him to lasting life.
As we join him in his sacrifice,
make us straightforward and committed with him
whatever the cost to ourselves,
in honesty and truth,
that we may stand the test of your scrutiny
and live in your light, now and for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
the words of your Son we have heard,
were hard and addressed not only to others
but also to us, to be put into practice.
By the strength of this eucharist
help us to live as we believe
and to be honest with ourselves and with others.
Make us not only speak of peace and love
but be men and women of peace
and of community in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Blessing
Let us never give in to the temptation of trying to appear better to people than we are, perhaps somehow trying to impress God! Let us humbly ask for his blessing. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.