Thật dịp tốt để chúng ta thấy chính bản thân của chúng ta trong hình ảnh người Biệt Phái trong bài Phúc Âm hôm nay. Điều nguy hiểm nhất là khi chúng ta nghĩ rằng những lời quở mắng của Chúa Giêsu chỉ dành cho những người bà con hàng xóm láng giềng của chúng ta mà không phải cho chính chúng ta. Chúa Giêsu nói với chúng ta hôm nay trong Tin Mừng. Ngài cảnh báo chúng ta rằng chúng ta đưa ra những luật pháp và luân lý đạo đức để làm tăng thêm gánh nặng cho người khác trong khi chúng ta được miễn trừ hay tự tha thứ cho mình vì tội lỗi và hành vi tội lỗi mà chúng ta đã mắc phạm. Chúng ta dễ dàng dùng miệng lưỡi để giải thích với những cách trình bày hợp lý và chúng ta vặn vẹo, lúng túng biện minh cho tội lỗi của chúng ta, trong khi đó chúng ta thích chỉ trích, lên án, phán xét và tất cả những người khác dưới ánh sáng mặt trời, cho dù họ bất cứ là ai, là bạn bè hay là các đối thủ cạnh tranh của chúng ta, hay họ là những người bà con hàng xóm và những người thân của chúng ta. Ví thế, đối với điều này mà Chúa gọi chúng ta là những người mù.
Chúng ta bị mù bởi vì chúng ta không nhìn thấy tội lỗi của chúng ta. Chúng ta cần phải rửa sạch bên trong cái chén trước khi chúng ta có thể rữa sạch cái chén bên ngoài. Và vì cái chén đó có chứa đầy tất cả các lỗi lầm, tội lỗi bên trong đó mà chúng ta đã mắc phạm mỗi ngày trong cuộc sống thường nhật của chúng ta. Chúa Giêsu đã uống từ cái chén này, đã uống cạn tội lội lỗi, tính hư nết xấu, những tham vọng của chúng ta. Ngài rửa sạch bên trong cái chén đó và đã tha thứ tất cả các tội lỗi của chúng ta. Và vì vậy chúng ta phải vượt qua chính mình để ân sủng của Thiên Chúa giúp chúnga biết tha thứ cho những người xúc phạm đến chúng ta.
neighbors and relatives. For this the Lord calls us BLIND.
We are blind because we fail to see our own sins. We need to clean the inside of our cup before we can clean the outside of our cup. And the cup contains all our sins and misdeeds that we commit every single day. The Lord has drunk from this cup and has forgiven our sins, and so must we transcend ourselves to God's grace and forgive those who offend us.
Wednesday 21st Ordinary Time
Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.” Matthew 23:27–28
This would not have been an easy thing for the scribes and Pharisees to hear. It is a hard truth, spoken by our Lord, partly in an attempt to shake them free of their sin. And even though they may not have enjoyed hearing this clear condemnation spoken, since it came from the Savior of the World, we can be sure that these are words of the deepest love and were spoken so that these men would repent and change their ways.
Perhaps each of us, at times, feels like criticizing another. Most often, when we feel this way, it stems from our own personal sin of anger. Perhaps we were hurt by another and that hurt results in a desire for a form of vengeance that comes from anger. But this was not the case with Jesus.
First, these words were spoken by Jesus to his disciples and to the crowds of people, not only to the scribes and Pharisees. So in many ways Jesus spoke this for the good of those who were suffering under the misguided leadership of these religious leaders. But Jesus knew that these leaders would also hear His words, so He spoke those words to them. But unlike us, He did it out of perfect virtue so as to care for their souls.
At times, each one of us needs to hear Jesus rebuke us in love. If any of the scribes and Pharisees were open at that time, then Jesus’ words would have first stung them to the heart but then had the powerful effect of challenging them to change. They needed this and so do we. When we become stuck in our sins, especially if obstinacy sets in, then we need to allow Jesus to challenge us firmly. Such a challenge can be rattling, but that rattling is sometimes necessary. Emotion and passion can lead to sin, but it can also lead to repentance and conversion. The passion with which Jesus spoke became an instrument by which their own passions made them sit up and take notice. The result was that they either became more steeped in their sin or they repented. And though most became even more steeped in sin, which ultimately resulted in their persecution and death of Jesus, we can hope that there were some who did repent, such as Nicodemus.
Reflect, today, upon the strength of Jesus’ words to these religious leaders. Though they were supposed to be both “religious” and “leaders,” they were neither. They needed Jesus’ strength, courage and firmness. They needed to be confronted directly and receive the hard and clear truth about their sin. Reflect upon what it is in your own life that Jesus wants to say to you. Is there an area of your life in which our Lord needs to address you with passion, strength, clarity and firmness? Most likely there is. Perhaps not in an area of serious sin like it was with these scribes and Pharisees, but if we are open, Jesus wants to powerfully go after every sin within us. Open yourself to Him and allow Him to help rid you of the sins with which you struggle the most. And be grateful for this grace when He does.
My passionate Lord, You hate sin but love the sinner. You perfectly desire to rid me of all sin and all attachment to sin. Please open my mind and heart to hear Your rebukes of Love so that I may respond to Your invitation to repent with all my heart. I love You dear Lord. Free me from sin so that I may love You more. Jesus, I trust in You.
Wednesday 21st Ordinary Time 2025
Opening Prayer: Lord God, you have blessed me by welcoming me into the Kingdom of Heaven. Never let me forget such an awesome gift. You have transformed the old creation into a new creation, and this will continue until the end of time. I am also blessed to share in this transformation of society.
Encountering the Word of God
1. The Twelve: In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus announced that the Kingdom of Heaven was here and taught his followers how to live as part of it. In the following chapters (Matthew 8-10), Jesus continues to do things that show he is the King. He also chooses twelve royal officers to help him lead his growing kingdom (Bergsma, New Testament Basics for Catholics, 40). The appointment of the twelve refers back to Solomon, who, when he ruled over all Israel, appointed “twelve officers over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household” (1 Kings 4:7). What “food” will the 12 Apostles provide for the household of God? They will nourish God’s people with the Bread of Life, through the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and with the Word of Life through their teaching.
2. The Lost Sheep of the House of Israel: During his earthly life and public ministry, Jesus concentrated on finding and ministering to the people of Israel. He invited his twelve apostles to share in that ministry. They were not to go to the Gentiles or Samaritans yet, but to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel. “Their message is simple: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’ (Mt 10:5-7). While on their preaching journey, they will live according to the Beatitudes: They will be poor, carrying nothing with them (vv. 8-10). They will be peacemakers, bringing peace to the homes they visit (v. 13). They will be pure of heart, as ‘innocent as doves’ (v. 16). And they will be thoroughly persecuted for the sake of Jesus (vv. 17-23). Jesus grants to them his very own authority, such that anyone who accepts the apostles will be as good as accepting Jesus himself: ‘He who receives you receives me’ (v. 40). To embrace the King’s officer is to embrace the King himself” (Bergsma, New Testament Basics for Catholics, 43).
3. The Sons of Israel: In the First Reading, we learn about the sons of Israel going to Egypt to procure rations during the famine. The ten sons of Jacob had sold their brother, Joseph, into slavery many years prior, and, in the First Reading, we see them kneel before Joseph without realizing that it was their brother. This event was a fulfillment of the dream Joseph had, the dream that angered his brothers so that they plotted to get rid of him. Joseph concealed his identity and wanted to teach his brothers a lesson. Many of the elements in the story look forward to the Resurrection of Jesus. Just as Joseph was sold to Gentiles for twenty pieces of silver by Judah and his eleven brothers, so also Jesus was sold to Gentiles for thirty pieces of silver by Judas and abandoned by eleven disciples. Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, who did not recognize him at first, after he was exalted to the throne of Egypt. They didn’t recognize him after spending three days in prison. Similarly, Jesus was revealed to his disciples, who did not recognize him at first, after he was raised from the dead on the third day.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd who seeks out your lost sheep, brings your lambs to restful waters, nourishes your flock with good pasture, and protects your flock from demonic wolves. Teach me to be a good shepherd.
Opening Prayer: Lord God, I patiently await the return of your Son in glory. I do not know the day nor the hour, but I will do my best to be watchful and ready. I will work in your vineyard and extend your Kingdom as I can, empowered by your grace.
Encountering the Word of God
1. Hypocritical Scribes and Pharisees: Today’s Gospel finishes our reading of the seven woes pronounced by Jesus upon the scribes and Pharisees. Each one of them reveals an aspect of their hypocrisy. On the outside, the scribes and Pharisees present themselves as: authentic teachers about God and his law; untiring in their zeal to make converts; men of truth and of their word; men who faithfully fulfill even the minutiae of the law; men of purity and holiness; upright men; and defenders of God’s messengers. In truth, the scribes and Pharisees are only wearing a mask. Instead of teaching the way that leads to heaven, they teach in such a way that keeps them out and hinders the entry of others into God's kingdom. Instead of bringing the nations to worship the one, true God, they introduce them into a dead religion. Instead of speaking the truth, they find ways to lie under the appearance of solemn piety. Instead of fulfilling the essence and heart of the law, they neglect this and focus exclusively on the minor details. Instead of living a holy life from within, they mask the evil intentions of their heart with external observance. Instead of a life of righteousness, they live a contradiction between a beautiful exterior and a filthy interior. Lastly, they think they are better than their ancestors, who persecuted and killed the prophets, but in actuality they are about to condemn the Son of God to death. What is more, the Pharisees accuse Jesus and his disciples of their own faults. They accuse him of blasphemy and false doctrine. They attack his disciples and try to sow doubt about Jesus. They accuse Jesus of working by the power of the devil, the “father of lies.” They point out when Jesus breaks the Sabbath rest and when his disciples do not fast as evidence against Jesus’ teaching. They accuse Jesus’ disciples of impurity since they neglect the ritual washing before meals. They accuse Jesus of eating with the unrighteous, with sinners and tax collectors. Finally, they are plotting to put Jesus to death.
2. Second Thessalonians: Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians is one of encouragement, hope, and consolation. Confusion about the timing of Christ’s second coming (Parousia) “has led certain believers into strange and disorderly conduct. We can infer from Paul’s comments in 3:6-15 that some in Thessalonica were so convinced that Jesus would return at any moment that they had quit their jobs and stopped working for a living” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament, 379). That is not the right way to live. Christ’s Kingdom is present and yet grows until the end of time when Jesus will return in glory. We need to live in such a way that we are always ready and always prepared for our definitive encounter with him. Paul criticizes the behavior of those who refuse to work and “seems annoyed that his readers have not heeded his earlier appeals to ‘work’ diligently (1 Thess 4:11) and ‘admonish the idle’ (1 Thess 5:14). The congregation is charged with addressing this problem decisively but charitably (2 Thess 3:14-15). In Paul’s mind, these freeloaders who live on the charity of others will better prepare themselves for Christ's return by working than by sitting around waiting” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament, 379).
3. Jesus, Our Model: The filial, loving obedience of Jesus Christ, not the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees, is our model for Christian life. As Christians, we are called to teach, through our words and actions, in the name of Christ. We are sent out to the ends of the earth to preach and baptize. Every word of ours should be full of truth and seek the glory of God. We need to live according to the new law of charity, moved by the Holy Spirit. There should be a conformity between our actions and purity of heart. We are righteous insofar as we believe in Christ, welcome God’s grace, and work with charity and love. We are called to defend the faith and spread the faith as messengers of God’s word.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, call me out if I am a hypocrite. I never want to give the false appearance of being righteous and holy if my heart is far from you. Fill me with your grace and transform my way of being and acting.
No comments:
Post a Comment