＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18

We command you, beloved,

To stay away from believers who are living in idleness, contrary to the traditions we passed on to you. you know, how you ought to follow our example: we worked while we were with you.

Day and night, we labored and toiled so as not to be a burden to any of you. we had the right to act otherwise, but we wanted to give you an example. Besides, while we were with you, we said clearly: if anyone is not willing to work, neither should that one eat.

May the Lord of peace give you his peace at all times and in every way. May the Lord be with you all. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is my signature in all my letters. This is how I write. May the grace of Christ Jesus our Lord be with you.

 

Ps 128:1-2, 4-5

Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Matthew 23:27-32

Woe to you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs beautiful in appearance, but inside there are only dead bones and uncleanness. In the same way you appear as religious to others, but you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness within.

Woe to you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous. You say: Had we lived in the time of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in the blood of prophets.

So, you yourselves confess to be kins of those who murdered the prophets. And now, finish off what your ancestors began!

 

Gospel Reflection：

The Jewish scribes and Pharisees have to be credited for making a career out of promoting righteousness. They are like a lighthouse. The lost people of Israel need them as they lead in the ways pleasing to God – being righteous as God is righteous.

It is unfortunate, however, that their righteousness turned into self-righteousness. The standards of pleasing God are drawn to themselves. They have become the standards. At that, such a self-drawn religious attitude is used to judge, condemn, and persecute others.

And it becomes more unfortunate when I exempt myself from my self-righteousness. I become above the standard I set and I can be excused if I do not follow it. The self-righteous is a lighthouse swaying away from its own light.