First Reading - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Gospel - Matthew 23:23-26
In the first reading, Paul reminds the Thessalonians how he and his companions shared the Gospel with them. He emphasizes that their preaching was not driven by deceit, greed, or the desire for praise, but by a genuine love for the people. Paul uses the image of a mother caring for her children to describe his ministry. He did not merely deliver a message; he poured out his life for them. This is the mark of true discipleship: serving others with selfless love and integrity.
In the Gospel, Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. They meticulously observed small details of the law, such as tithing herbs, but neglected the weightier matters—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. They focused on external purity while their hearts remained unclean. Jesus is not dismissing the observance of the law, but He reminds us that what matters most is the heart from which our actions flow. Outward observance without inner transformation is empty.
Dear friends, the readings challenge us to examine our own faith. Do we live it with authenticity, as Paul did, pouring out ourselves in love for others? Or do we risk becoming like the Pharisees, content with external practices while neglecting the deeper call of justice and mercy?
True religion is not about being seen as righteous but about becoming righteous in God’s eyes—living with integrity, compassion, and sincerity of heart. When our faith is lived this way, it not only honors God but also draws others closer to Him.
Let us ask the Lord today to cleanse our hearts from any trace of hypocrisy, and to give us the grace to live a faith that is genuine, humble, and rooted in love. May our words and actions reflect the Gospel so clearly that, like Paul, we can say we have not only shared God’s word but also our very lives.
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