30 August, 2023 | Wednesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time | For India -- Memorial of St Euphrasia Eluvathingal , virgin

Gospel Mt 23:27-32

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Gospel Text:

 

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.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.

You build the tombs of the prophets

and adorn the memorials of the righteous,

and you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our ancestors,

we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets' blood.'

Thus you bear witness against yourselves

that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets;

now fill up what your ancestors measured out!"

Reflections :

Jesus again confronts the scribes and Pharisees about their pretentious ways. Today’s Gospel challenges us to look within oneself and examine our attitudes, thoughts and our actions. We often become like Pharisees, we want to look good, want to be competent, successful and happy. We try to hide the vulnerable and fearful side of ourselves. The Gospel challenges us to stand up against all these. Jesus teaches us to be authentic like Him. 

Activity: 

Today be genuine with yourself and others.  

For India : Mt 16: 24-27