"IF FROM THE VERY EARLIEST YEARS,

A CHILD IS INSTRUCTED IN BOTH RELIGION AND LETTERS,

IT CAN BE REASONABLY HOPED THAT HIS LIFE WILL BE HAPPY."

                                              - Saint Louis of France

 

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3a, 14-17

Brothers and sisters,

Let us speak about the coming of Christ Jesus, our Lord, and our gathering to meet him.

Do not be easily unsettled. Do not be alarmed by what a prophet says, or by any report,

or by some letter said to be ours, saying, the day of the Lord is at hand.

Do not let yourselves be deceived, in any way.

To this end he called you, through the gospel we preach,

for he willed you, to share the glory of Christ Jesus, our Lord.

 

Because of that, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions that we taught you,

by word or by letter. May Christ Jesus, our Lord, who has loved us,

may God our Father, who, in his mercy, gives us everlasting comfort and true hope,

strengthen you. May he encourage your hearts and make you steadfast in every good work and word.

 

Ps 96:10, 11-12, 13

The Lord comes to judge the earth.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Matthew 23:23-26

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You do not forget the mint,

anise and cumin seeds when you demand the tenth of everything; but then,

you forget what is most fundamental in the law: justice, mercy and faith!

You should have done these things without neglecting the others. Blind guides!

 

You strain out a mosquito, but swallow a camel.

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You fill the plate and the cup,

with theft and violence, and then pronounce a blessing over them.

Blind Pharisee! Purify the inside first, then the outside, too, will be purified.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Reflection:

Outward appearances mean little.

Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees for focusing on outward rituals

while neglecting the Law's more profound,

weightier matters – justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

Their meticulous tithing of spices like mint and cumin is commendable,

but it becomes empty when their hearts fail to embrace the essence of God's commands.

Jesus reminds them that outward appearances mean little

if the inner soul is untouched by truth and righteousness.

 

This passage speaks powerfully to us today, urging us to examine our lives.

Are we caught up in routines and rituals while neglecting genuine love and compassion?

Jesus calls us to clean the "inside of the cup": to address the core of our being,

where motives and intentions reside. Only then can our outward

actions genuinely reflect the righteousness that pleases God.

Let us prioritize inner transformation over external displays: seeking justice,

showing mercy, and living faithfully. By doing so,

we embody the essence of God's will and reflect His light in the world.