Tarsish Marak csc –
Readings: 2Thes 3:6-10,16-18; Mt 23:27-32
The readings of the day invite us to be genuine in our words and deeds. In the first reading, St. Paul says that if anyone is not willing to work, they should not eat.
In the gospel reading, Jesus condemns the Scribes and Pharisees, saying, “Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You appear clean on the outside but are unclean on the inside.” Jesus highlights our behaviour, pointing out that we often focus on outward appearances while neglecting our inner selves.
In our daily lives, this hypocrisy manifests when we speak ill of others, making it a part of our routine. Without such hypocrisy, we might feel our day is incomplete. Jesus rightly observed that we appear good and pious before others but can be cruel inside. Today, Jesus invites us to build a habit of speaking positively about others and to cultivate loving relationships with our fellow beings. He says, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”
In 1 Samuel 16:7, the Lord tells Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or his height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. Therefore, Jesus urges us to do what is pleasing to God, not to seek the approval of the world. Let us pray for this grace.