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!
Responsorial Psalm Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 And 23
R. (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: Psalm 50:8-9,16-17,21,23
“You hate discipline; you cast my words behind you… . When you do these things, should I be silent?” (Psalm 50:17,21)
As teenagers, many of us turned a deaf ear to our parents’ advice, casting their warnings behind us. But when we run into challenges down the road, we often find these pearls of wisdom echoing in our memory! “A person is known by the company he keeps.” “To have a friend, you must be a friend.” “Planned deceit is a lie.” “A stitch in time saves nine.” “Think the best of each person.” “You’re never too busy to say thank you.”
The apostles must have had a similar experience. Jesus said so many wise things, but not all of them made sense at first. For example, it was only after Easter Sunday that they could possibly understand that Jesus’ death was exactly the medicine this sinful world needed. They must have spent hours and hours together recalling the words that each of them remembered and discussing the meaning that was becoming clear as they lived this new way together.
It’s never too late to heed the words of wisdom that echo in our memories! His words never fail, and his mercy toward us is new every morning. There is no deadline to putting his words into action.
Jesus told his disciples: “You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers… . The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:8,11-12). He is always ready to teach us—if we are ready to humble ourselves and listen. He is always ready to bless us—if we are ready to lower ourselves and serve one another.
Spend some time today jotting down the sayings you often heard from your parents or a favorite teacher. Or maybe look at some of the Bible’s words of wisdom. Think about the ones you have put into practice and found to be true. Then ask the Holy Spirit to show you an area where you can continue to grow and learn. God’s resources are infinite; there’s always more you can learn!
“Lord, I long to learn more and more from you! Bring to mind what I most need to take to heart today.”
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