MY daily reflection and prayer:
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. Matthew 23:23-26
Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel! “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to Lord Jesus Christ.
***
IN the Gospel today Jesus Christ teaches us to dedicate our lives to weightier matters rather than mere appearances. According Jesus, what the weightier matters of the law are justice, mercy and faith. This is our true vocation, turning our hearts to his word.
We must tend to our soul and make sure the intentions behind our actions are holy motivations. We have to use our talents, wealth and possessions all for seeking him and his kingdom. We need to make our hearts more like his, in charity and mercy toward others.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist while adoring Jesus Christ, we learn to check our heart so that we can work with purity of intention. There we realize that we sometimes work only to present an appearance to others, to appear virtuous and holy, but inside we are filled with negative judgments, such as lack of charity. How often do we try to please God in the wrong way, by supposing we are doing his will when really we are only doing our own will instead?
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, you teach us that virtue comes from within our hearts where the Spirit dwells and inspires as he wills. Help us to be attentive to the Holy Spirit and follow his lead. May we do justice and charity in our daily lives. Let we put aside all vanity and desire for appearances that does not give glory to you now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
