Wednesday of the 21st week in ordinary time
2 Thessalonians 3: 6-10. 16-18 Mathew 23: 27-32
Theme: Hypocrisy
Today the church celebrates the memorial of St. Augustine of Hippo, Bishop and Doctor of the church. The son of St. Monica, whose memorial we celebrated yesterday. In the lives of both saints, we see the power of faith and the love of God for his people.
In our gospel reading of yesterday, we saw an angry Jesus, because of the way of life and teachings of the Scribes and Pharisees. Also in today’s gospel reading, he is emphasizing the need for us to live our lives in a straightforward and sincere way. In view of this, the most important thing is that we must always remember that it is the same God that made both the inside and the outside. Jesus is challenging us today to ensure that the inside that people cannot assess is as clean and neat as the outside that is visible to people. Let us try to guide against living a hypocritical life, just like the Scribes and Pharisees that Jesus continues to admonish in the gospel.
Dear friends in Christ, the assertion of Jesus in today’s gospel reading is very important in our own time also. This is because many of us today, go out of our way to present an external that is a far cry of the reality in our life, all in a bid to paint a picture that places us where we do not belong; strictly speaking. This way of life has led many people into living a very fake life that they cannot sustain and end up a different person because of their pride and selfish desires. The admonition of Jesus is an opportunity for all of us to take time out and reflect about our style of life, whether it is authentic or hypocritical? But remember, Jesus is challenging us today to live an authentic life that may be displeasing to some people but pleasing to God Almighty, because been on the same page with God should be our priority as people of God.
You don’t lose true friends or the friendship of the Divine by been sincere and real in your dealings; you rather lose friends who want you to continue to live a fake and hypocritical life. If you must live your life to impress anybody, let it be God. This is because if God is impressed, everyone who is on the side of God will also be impressed about your way of life; at the end of the day, the position of God is what matters most. In the world in which we live today, we need more people who are genuine in their dealings with other people.
Dearly beloved in Christ, the teaching of St. Paul in the 1st reading, is that we should be mindful of the teachings we accept. Trust in the word of God in every situation that you find yourself, it will never fail you. As you do this, may almighty God bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.