First Reading - 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Gospel - Matthew 23:27-32
In the first reading, Paul reminds the Thessalonians of the example he and his companions gave them. They worked hard with their own hands, not to be a burden, but to show that the Gospel is lived out in concrete love and sacrifice. Paul rejoices that the Thessalonians received the message not as a mere human teaching but as the living Word of God, which continues to work in those who believe. Their openness of heart allowed the Word to bear fruit in their lives.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks with sorrow and sharpness against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. He calls them “whitewashed tombs”—beautiful on the outside but full of decay within. They appeared righteous, yet their hearts were marked by pride and hardness. Outward appearances can be deceiving, but God sees the heart.
Dear friends, the readings remind us that true holiness cannot be faked. It is not about appearances, titles, or the image we present to others. It is about allowing the Word of God to penetrate us deeply, shaping our thoughts, desires, and actions. Authentic faith begins in the heart and then overflows into the way we live, work, and treat others.
Let us be inspired by Paul’s example of sincerity and dedication, and let us take to heart Jesus’ warning against empty religiosity. Our prayer today is that God may cleanse us from every trace of hypocrisy and make us witnesses of a faith that is real, humble, and life-giving. May we shine not with superficial brightness, but with the light of Christ radiating from within.
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