Reading 1
Is 1:10, 16-20
Hear the word of the LORD,
princes of Sodom!
Listen to the instruction of our God,
people of Gomorrah!
Wash yourselves clean!
Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes;
cease doing evil; learn to do good.
Make justice your aim: redress the wronged,
hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.
Come now, let us set things right,
says the LORD:
Though your sins be like scarlet,
they may become white as snow;
Though they be crimson red,
they may become white as wool.
If you are willing, and obey,
you shall eat the good things of the land;
But if you refuse and resist,
the sword shall consume you:
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken!
Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23
Responsorial PsalmR. (23b)
To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
Gospel
Mt 23:1-12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
“The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people’s shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Meditation: Matthew 23:1-12
“The greatest among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)
Today’s Gospel reading stands in direct contrast to the images of Jesus as the quintessential “Mister Nice Guy.” And that’s probably a good thing. Of course Jesus is filled with love, compassion, and mercy. But at the same time, he became man in order to do battle with the devil, to correct our mistaken views about who God is, and ultimately to die a violent, painful death so that we could be forgiven of our sins. It’s good to be reminded every now and then of how high the stakes were.
Jesus’ words about the hypocrisy of some of the religious leaders of his day reveal how easy it can be to become satisfied with external displays of religion and lose sight of the heart of our faith. Picture this scenario, for instance: On a given Sunday, you find yourself in a church filled with amazing beauty. The architectural design of the building is simply majestic, and the artwork inside is breathtaking. The priest’s vestments and the banners hanging around the church match perfectly and are stunning. No one in the choir sings off-key, and the harmonies are precise and blend beautifully with one another.
This picture may be very attractive, but is this the extent of the beauty Jesus is looking for from his church? Just what is beautiful in Jesus’ eyes?
St. Ambrose once said that the beauty of the church does not consist primarily in its good works or in its lavish rituals. Rather, the core beauty of the church consists in hearts that love Jesus. The beauty Jesus is looking for can be found in the quiet peace of a mother who nurses her baby in the middle of the night. It is found in a man who gives of his time and energy to look after his employees at work. It is found in a liturgy&mash;whether simple or elaborate&mash;that leads the congregation into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus. It is found in knowing Jesus as the source and power of all that is good&mash;and exalting him in our thoughts, words, and actions.
How beautiful are you?
“Jesus, give me a love for all that is good and pleasing to you. Create a clean heart in me, one that desires to serve and not to be served. Fill me with your love so that I may help bring people to you.”
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