Tuesday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time

Commentary of the day
Saint Peter Damian (1007-1072), hermit then Bishop, Doctor of the Church
Opuscule 51 ; PL 145, 749f (Migne 1992, p. 125 rev.)

"You have neglected the weightier things of the Law: judgment and mercy and fidelity"

If you want to make your way along the road of true religion, doing the right thing with discretion and profit, then you need to be austere and hard with yourself but always appear happy and open with others, striving in your own heart to walk along the heights of uprightness while knowing how to stoop kindly towards those who are weak. In short, you should moderate the rigors of justice before the judgment of your conscience in such a way that you are not hard on sinners but open to forgiveness and indulgent…

Consider your own sin to be dangerous and mortal; that of others, the weakness of the human condition. The fault that, in your own case, you consider worthy of severe correction, think of as only deserving a light tap of the stick in others. Don’t be more just than the just! Fear to sin but don’t hesitate to forgive the sinner. True justice is not that which throws the souls of the brethren into the pit of despair… How dangerous is the fire that, in burning up the bushes, threatens to consume the whole house with the fierceness of its flames. No, someone who willingly picks their way through other people’s failings will not avoid sin since, even if moved by the zeal for justice, sooner or later that person will fall into disparagement.

Clearly, if our own life didn’t seem so successful to us, then that of others wouldn’t seem to us so shocking. And if, as should be the case, we were severe as judges of ourselves, the faults of others would not find in us such exacting censors.

'Thus, the more violently they try to occupy the places of worship, the more they separate themselves from the Church. They claim that they represent the Church; but in reality, they are the ones who are expelling themselves from it and going astray.'

St. Athanasius

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28)

"Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb"
(Lk 1:42).

Matthew
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Matthew 23
23.	Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you tithe mint, and anise, and cummin, and have left the weightier things of the law; judgment, and mercy, and faith. These things you ought to have done, and not to leave those undone.	Væ vobis scribæ et pharisæi hypocritæ, qui decimatis mentham, et anethum, et cyminum, et reliquistis quæ graviora sunt legis, judicium, et misericordiam, et fidem ! hæc oportuit facere, et illa non omittere.	ουαι υμιν γραμματεις και φαρισαιοι υποκριται οτι αποδεκατουτε το ηδυοσμον και το ανηθον και το κυμινον και αφηκατε τα βαρυτερα του νομου την κρισιν και τον ελεον και την πιστιν ταυτα εδει ποιησαι κακεινα μη αφιεναι
24.	Blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel.	Duces cæci, excolantes culicem, camelum autem glutientes.	οδηγοι τυφλοι οι διυλιζοντες τον κωνωπα την δε καμηλον καταπινοντες
25.	Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you make clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but within you are full of rapine and uncleanness.	Væ vobis scribæ et pharisæi hypocritæ, quia mundatis quod deforis est calicis et paropsidis ; intus autem pleni estis rapina et immunditia !	ουαι υμιν γραμματεις και φαρισαιοι υποκριται οτι καθαριζετε το εξωθεν του ποτηριου και της παροψιδος εσωθεν δε γεμουσιν εξ αρπαγης και αδικιας
26.	Thou blind Pharisee, first make clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, that the outside may become clean.	Pharisæe cæce, munda prius quod intus est calicis, et paropsidis, ut fiat id, quod deforis est, mundum.	φαρισαιε τυφλε καθαρισον πρωτον το εντος του ποτηριου και της παροψιδος ινα γενηται και το εκτος αυτων καθαρον

23. Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought you to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
24. You blind guides, which strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel.

CHRYS. The Lord had said above that they bound heavy burdens upon others, which they themselves would not touch; He now again shows how they aimed at being correct in little things, but neglected weighty matters.

JEROME; The Lord and commanded, that for the maintenance of the Priests and Levites, whose portion was the Lord, tithes of every thing should be offered in the temple. Accordingly, the Pharisees (to dismiss mystical expositions) concerned themselves about this alone, that these trifling things should be paid in, but lightly esteemed other things which were weighty. He charges them then with covetousness in exacting carefully the tithes of worthless herbs, while they neglected justice in their transactions of business, mercy to the poor, and faith toward God, which are weighty things.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. Or, because these covetous Priest, when anyone did not bring his tithes of the smallest thing, made it a matter of grave reprehension; but when one injured his neighbor or sinned against God, they were at pains to reprove him, careful only of their own profit, neglecting the glory of God, and the salvation of men. For to observe righteousness, to do mercy, and to have faith, these things God commanded for His own glory; but the payment of tithes He established for the support of the Priests, so that the Priests should minister to the people in spiritual things, and the people supply the Priests with carnal things.

Thus is it at this time, when all are careful of their own honor, none of God's honor; they jealously protect their own rights, but will not bestow any pains in the service of the Church. If the people pay not their tithes duly, they murmur; but if they see the people in sin, they utter not a word against them. But because some of the Scribes and Pharisees, to whom he is now speaking, were of the people, it is not unsuitable to make a different interpretation; and 'to tithe' may be used as well of him who receives, tithes. The Scribes then and Pharisees offered tithes of the very best things for the purpose of displaying their righteousness; but in their judgments they were unjust, without mercy for their brethren, without faith for the truth.

ORIGEN; But because it was possible that some, hearing the Lord speak thus, might thereupon neglect paying tithes of small things, He prudently adds, These things ought you to have done, (i.e. justice, mercy, and faith,) and not to leave the others undone, i.e. the tithing of mint, anise, and cummin.

REMIG. In these words the Lord shows that all the commandments of the Law, greatest and least, are to fulfilled. They also are refuted who give alms of the fruits of the earth, supposing that thus they cannot sin, whereas their alms profit them nothing unless they are careful to keep themselves from sin.

HILARY; And because it was much less guilt to omit the tithing of herbs than a duty of benevolence, the Lord derides them, You blind guides, which strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel.

JEROME; The camel I suppose to mean the weighty precepts, judgment, mercy, and faith; the gnat, the tithing of mint, anise, and cummin, and other valueless herbs. The greater of God's commands we swallow and overlook, but show our carelessness by a religious scrupulousness in little things which bring profit with them.

ORIGEN; Or, straining out a gnat, that is, putting from them small sins; swallowing a camel, that is, committing great sins, which He calls camels, from the size and distorted shape of that animal. Morally, the Scribes are those who think nothing else contained in Scripture than the bare letter exhibit; the Pharisees are all those who esteem themselves righteous, and separate themselves from others, saying, 'Come not near me, for I am clean'. Mint, anise, and cummin, are the seasoning, not the substantial part of food; as in our life and conversation there are some things necessary to justification, as judgment, mercy, and faith; and others which are like the seasoning of our actions, giving them a flavor and sweetness, as abstinence from laughter, fasting, bending the knee, and such like. How shall they not be judged blind who see not that it is of little avail to be a careful dispenser in the least things, if things of chief moment are neglected? These His present discourse overthrows; not forbidding to observe the little things, but bidding to keep more carefully the chief things.

GREG. Or otherwise; The gnat stings while it hums; the camel bows its back to receive its load. The Jews then strained off the gnat, when they prayed to have the seditious robber released to them; and they swallowed the camel, when they sought with shouts the death of Him who had voluntarily taken on Him the burden of our mortality.

25. Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
26. You blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

JEROME; In different words, but to the same purport as before, He reproves the hypocrisy and dissimulation of the Pharisees, that they showed one face to men abroad, but wore another at home. He means not here, that their scrupulousness respecting the cup and the platter was of any importance, but that they affected it to pass off their sanctity upon men; which is clear from His adding, but inwardly you are full of ravening and uncleanness.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. Or, He means that the Jews whenever they were to enter the temple or to offer sacrifice, or on any festivals, used to wash themselves, their clothes, and their vessels, but none cleansed himself from his sins; but God neither commends bodily cleanliness, nor condemns the contrary. But suppose foulness of person or of vessels were offensive to God, which must become foul by being used, how much more does He not abhor foulness of conscience, which we may, if we will, keep ever pure?

HILARY; He therefore is reproving those who, pursuing an ostentation of useless scrupulosity, neglected the discharge of useful morality. For it is the inside of the cup that is used; if that be foul, what profit is it to cleanse the outside? And therefore what is needed is purity of the inner conscience, that those things which are of the body may be clean without.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. This He speaks not of the cup and platter of sense, but of that of the understanding, which may be pure before God, though it have never touched water; but if it have sinned, then though the water of the whole ocean and of all rivers have washed it, it is foul and guilty before God.

CHRYS. Note, that speaking of tithes He said, These things ought you to have done, and not to leave the other undone: for tithes are a kind of alms, and what wrong is it to give alms? Yet said He it not to enforce a legal superstition. But here, discoursing of things clean and unclean, He does not add this, but distinguishes and shows that external purity of necessity follows internal; the outside of the cup and platter signifying the body, the inside the soul.

ORIGEN; This discourse instructs us that we should hasten to become righteous, not to seem so. For whoever seeks to be thought so, cleanses the outside, and has care of the things that are seen, but neglects the heart and conscience. But he who seeks to cleanse that which is within, that is, the thoughts, makes by that means the things without clean also. All professors of false doctrine are cups cleansed on the outside, because of that show of religion which they affect, but within they are full of extortion and guile, hurrying men into error. The cup is a vessel for liquids, the platter for meat. Every discourse then of which we spiritually drink, and all speech by which we are fed, are vessels for meat and drink. They who study to set forth well wrought discourse rather than such as is full of healthful meaning, are cups cleansed without; but within full of the defilement of vanity. Also the letter of the Law and the Prophets is a cup of spiritual drink, and a platter of necessary food. The Scribes and Pharisees seek to make plain the outward sense; Christ's disciples labor to exhibit the spiritual sense.

Catena Aurea Matthew 23

Baptism of Christ

Pacino di Bonaguida

The Morgan Codex (Folio 9)
c. 1320
Tempera and gold on parchment, 245 x 176 mm
Pierpont Morgan Library, New York

Saint Rose of Lima, Virgin

Saint Rose of Lima, Virgin
Optional Memorial
August 23rd

St Rose of Lima
Paintings from 1661
by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
Oil on canvas
Museo Lázaro Galdiano, Madrid

History:

St. Rose of Lima, patroness of America was born at Lima, Peru April 20,1586. She had a great reverence, and pronounced love, for all things relating to God. She gave her life to prayer and mortification. She had an intense devotion to the Infant Jesus and His Blessed Mother, before whose altar she spent hours. She was scrupulously obedient and of untiring industry, making rapid progress by earnest attention to her parents' instruction, to her studies, and to her domestic work, especially with her needle. After reading of St. Catherine she determined to take that saint as her model. Many hours were spent before the Blessed Sacrament, which she received daily. She determined to take a vow of virginity. At the outset she had to combat the opposition of her parents, who wished her to marry. For ten years the struggle continued before she won, by patience and prayer, their consent to continue her mission. Her days were filled with acts of charity and industry, her exquisite lace and embroidery helping to support her home, while her nights were devoted to prayer and penance. When her work permitted, she retired to a little grotto which she had built, with her brother's aid, in their small garden, and there passed her nights in solitude and prayer. In her twentieth year she received the habit of St. Dominic. She offered to Him all her mortifications and penances in expiation for offenses against His Divine Majesty, for the idolatry of her country, for the conversion of sinners, and for the souls in Purgatory.

She died August 30, 1617. Many miracles followed her death. She was beatified by Clement IX, in 1667, and canonized in 1671 by Clement X, the first American to be so honoured. She is represented wearing a crown of roses.

(Principal source - Catholic Encyclopedia - 1913 edition)

Collect:
O God, you set Saint Rose of Lima on fire with your love,
so that, secluded from the world
in the austerity of life of penance,
she might give herself to you alone;
grant, we pray, that through her intercession,
we may tread the paths of life on earth
and drink at the stream of your delights in heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.

First Reading: 2 Corinthians 10:17-11:2
"Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord." For it is not the man who commends himself that is accepted, but the man whom the Lord commends.

I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to Christ to present you as a pure bride to her one husband.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:44-46
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

A Patron Saint for Gardeners [St. Rose of Lima, August 23]
Saint Rose of Lima

Information: St. Rose of Lima

Feast Day: August 23

Born: April 20, 1586, Lima, Viceroyalty of Peru

Died: August 24, 1617, Lima, Viceroyalty of Peru

Canonized: April 2, 1671, Rome by Pope Clement X

Major Shrine: convent of Santo Domingo in Lima, Peru

Patron of: embroiderers; gardeners; India; Latin America; people ridiculed for their piety; Peru; Philippines; Santa Rosa, California; against vanity; Lima; Peruvian Police Force

Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day

St. Rose of Lima

Feast Day: August 23
Born: 1586 :: Died: 1617

This South American saint was born in Lima, in Peru. Her real name was Isabel, but she was such a beautiful baby that she was affectionately called Rose.

As Rose grew older, she became more and more beautiful. One day her mother put a wreath of flowers on her head to show off her loveliness to friends. But Rose did not like that.

She only wanted Jesus to notice her and love her. Rose did not think she was special because of her beauty. She realized that beauty is a gift from God.

She even became afraid that her beauty might be a temptation to someone. She noticed people staring at her with approval. She heard them say that her complexion was smooth and beautiful.

So she did an unusual thing: she rubbed her face with pepper until her skin became all red and blistered so that people would not find her beautiful anymore.

St. Rose worked hard to support her parents who were very poor. She humbly obeyed them, too, except when they tried to get her to marry. That she would not do.

Her love for Jesus was so great that when she talked about him, her face glowed. Rose prayed that her parents would allow her to live for Jesus.

The devil often tried to tempt her and there were times when she had to suffer terrible loneliness and sadness. During those times, God seemed far away. Yet she cheerfully offered all these troubles to him. She kept praying for her trust to grow stronger.

In her last long, painful sickness, this brave young woman used to pray: "Lord, increase my sufferings, and with them increase your love in my heart." She was just thirty-one when she died on August 24, 1617, in Lima.

St. Rose is the patron saint of the Americas, Philippines and West Indies.

Tuesday

August 23, 2016

24 Carat Gold

“When gold has been purified up to twenty-four carats, it can no longer be consumed by any fire; not gold itself but only dross can be burnt away. Thus the divine fire works in the soul: God holds the soul in the fire until its every imperfection is burnt away and it is brought to perfection, as it were to the purity of twenty-four carats, each soul however according to its own degree. When the soul has been purified it stays wholly in God. - St. Catherine of Genoa

Year of Mercy Calendar for Today: Volunteer to lead a Bible Study at a local prison, or donate Catholic books.

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Tuesday, August 23

Liturgical Color: Green

Today is the optional memorial
of St. Rose of Lima, virgin. She
was the first saint born in the
Americas and showed great
devotion to St. Catherine
of Siena. Like St. Catherine, she
bore the pain of the stigmata. St.
Rose died in 1617.

Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: August 23rd

Optional Memorial of St. Rose of Lima, virgin

MASS READINGS

August 23, 2016 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

O God, you set Saint Rose of Lima on fire with your love, so that, secluded from the world in the austerity of a life of penance, she might give herself to you alone; grant, we pray, that through her intercession, we may tread the paths of life on earth and drink at the stream of your delights in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

show

Recipes (1)

Arroz con Leche

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Activities (2)

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Prayers (2)

Prayer Before a Crucifix
The Immaculate Heart
Old Calendar: St. Philip Benize, confessor
The first canonized saint of the Western Hemisphere, Rose of Lima (1586-1617) might also be considered a type of the special vocation of contemplative-in-the-world. Inspired by the example of St. Catherine of Siena, Rose became a Dominican lay tertiary and devoted herself to works of active charity while living a life of extreme austerity. She longed to evangelize the Indians, not at all discouraged by the thought that they would probably kill her. St. Martin de Porres and St. John Masias were among her friends. She died at the age of 31, praying, "Lord, increase my sufferings, and with them increase your love in my heart."
Before the reform of the General Roman Calendar St. Rose's feast was celebrated on August 30. Today was the feast of St. Philip Benize, who was born in Florence of the noble Benizi family on the feast of the Assumption, and died on the octave of the Assumption in Todi, Italy. A man of unusual ability, he took a medical course in Padua, and practiced medicine in Florence. But the medical profession left him dissatisfied, and he joined the Servite Order as a lay brother, performing the most humble tasks in the monastery. Ordained a priest out of obedience, he became master of novices and finally general of the Order. He restored peace in the civil wars of Italy, and assisted at the Ecumenical Council of Lyons. Amid all these honors, he lived a life of great humility always considering himself as the worst of sinners and deserving the punishment of hell.

St. Rose of Lima
Rose of Lima, a member of the Third Order of St. Dominic, was the "first blossom of sanctity that South America gave to the world." Hers was a life heroic in virtue and penance. She expiated the evils perpetrated by the conquerors of the land in their lust for gold. For many her life was a silent sermon of penance. Pope Clement X stated in the bull of canonization: "Since the discovery of Peru no missionary has arisen who effected a similar popular zeal for the practice of penance."
Already as a five-year-old child (born 1586), Rose vowed her innocence to God. While still a young girl, she practiced mortifications and fasts that exceeded ordinary discretion; during all of Lent she ate no bread, but subsisted on five citron seeds a day. In addition, she suffered repeated attacks from the devil, painful bodily ailments, and from her family, scoldings and calumnies. All this she accepted serenely, remarking that she was treated better than she deserved. For fifteen years she patiently endured the severest spiritual abandonment and aridity. In reward came heavenly joys, the comforting companionship of her holy guardian angel and of the Blessed Virgin. August 24, 1617, proved to be the day "on which the paradise of her heavenly Bridegroom unlocked itself to her."
Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch
Patron: Against vanity; Americas; Central America; embroiderers; florists; gardeners; India; Latin America; needle workers; New World; people ridiculed for their piety; Peru; Phillipines; diocese of Santa Rosa, California; South America; vanity; Villareal Samar, Phillipines; West Indies.
Symbols: Crown of roses and thorns; needle and thimble; spiked crown; iron chain; Anchor Holy Infant; roses.
Often Portrayed As: Dominican tertiary holding roses; Dominican tertiary accompanied by the Holy Infant.
Things to Do:
- Read more about St. Rose of Lima.
- If geography interests you, here is a place to learn about Peru or learn more about Lima and the Santa Rosa de Lima Festivals.
- If you might be interested in becoming a lay member of the Dominican Order you can find out more at this Dominican Third Order website.
St. Philip Benize (or Benozzi)
St. Philip had special talents for leadership and organization; he was the second founder of the Servites and a great missioner. Of him the Breviary says: "His love and sympathetic consideration for the poor was truly remarkable. On one occasion he gave his own clothing to a destitute leper at Camiliano, a village near Siena, and immediately the poor, sick beggar was healed. The report of the miracle spread far and wide, and many of the cardinals who had assembled at Viterbo after the death of Clement IV (1268) for the election of Christendom's chief shepherd were minded to choose Philip, whose angelic life and mature wisdom were universally acknowledged. But as soon as the saint became aware of this, he went into hiding upon a hill until Gregory X (1271-1276) had been elected; for he sought to be spared that burdensome dignity."
Philip died at Todi in Tuscany. During his last hours he requested the attending Brother to bring him his book. The Brother did not understand what he meant. "The crucifix," the saint added. That was the book the saint had studied all the days of his life.
Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch
Patron: Sergio Osmena, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines.
Symbols: Chariot; olive branch; red robes; surgical instruments; two angels holding three crowns.
Things to Do:
- In the former Collect for St. Philip, the Church focused attention upon humility as our saint's most noteworthy virtue: "In the life of St. Philip You have provided for us a splendid example of humility." The manual from which he learned this virtue was the Crucifix. Say the Prayer Before A Crucifix and spend a little time meditating on Our Lord's humility.

The Word Among Us

Meditation: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 14-17

Saint Rose of Lima, Virgin (Optional Memorial)

Stand firm and hold fast. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

Legend tells us that St. Francis of Assisi was hoeing in his garden one day when one of his fellow friars asked, “What would you do if you knew Christ were coming back today?” Francis answered, “I would keep right on hoeing.” Nothing special. No anxious preparations or fretful trips to the confessional. He would live that day like any other, ready for Christ.

This is what St. Paul tells the Thessalonians as well: don’t get caught up in predictions about the Second Coming. Just “stand firm and hold fast” to what you have believed (2 Thessalonians 2:15). This two-part advice can help us too. Current events, speculation about the end-time, or thoughts of our own last days can unsettle us. How should we respond?

First, we stand firm, trying our best to live the life God has given us and not worrying about the future. God’s kingdom is at hand, whether we’re scrubbing pots or writing reports, driving carpools or hauling trash. We stand firm by being faithful to what we’ve been called to do, making the most of God’s presence in our daily activities.

Are you anxious about unresolved relationships? Worried that you aren’t ready to meet Jesus? Each day offers the chance to draw closer to him, to mend broken relationships, and to care for his people. If you’re trying to do this each day, your fears will slowly dissolve. You’ll grow in confidence that you’re living each day to its fullest. You’ll be more peaceful.

Second, we hold fast. We know the Lord. We have been taught so much about him. Not only that, but he has touched our lives in so many ways. So we hold fast to that truth in the face of anxiety. God is our everlasting, almighty, and faithful Father!

If you’re feeling “shaky,” pick a Scripture from the day’s Mass readings, and keep it close by. Type it into your computer, or write it on paper; and put it in your pocket so that you can go back to it during the day when you start to feel anxious. Let it become part of your solid foundation in the faith.

“Father, I believe you want me to walk in your peace. Help me to stand firm in the life you’ve given me and hold fast to your truth!”

Psalm 96:10-13
Matthew 23:23-26

Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for August 23, 2016:

What is your favorite board or card game? Collaborate with your spouse and plan a game night at home!

Regnum Christi

August 23, 2016 – First Things First

23 Aug 2016

Tuesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

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.

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I come to you again in prayer. Even though I cannot see you, I know through faith that you are present in my life. I hope in your promise to be with me. I love you, and I know you love me. Accept this prayer as a token of my love.

Petition: Lord, help me to dedicate my life to weightier matters rather than mere appearances.

1. Tithed Up in Knots: When God originally commanded his people to tithe, it was so that they would acknowledge him as the source of all the gifts in their lives. It was to be the recognition on their part that all they had was from him, that he is Lord, and that his law is the way to salvation. Yet it became easy for the Israelites to fall into legalism and forget the true purpose of the tithe. They observed the letter of the law and forgot the meaning of the law: acknowledge the sovereignty of God. In the end, all we are and all we have belongs to God. We have to use our talents, wealth and possessions all for him and his kingdom. Is there some area in which I do not acknowledge his sovereignty in my life?

2. What Really Counts: What are the weightier matters of the law? Jesus speaks of justice and mercy and faith. When we neglect these, we are distorting true religion, for true religion is not a question of formalisms and actions to appease God, but rather of turning our hearts to his word. We need to make our hearts more like his, in charity and mercy toward others. How many times do we miss the most important things and work only at side issues? 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? How often do we forget the true essence of devotion to the law of God?

3. Interior Cleaning: “First clean the inside of the cup…” We should tend to our soul and make sure the intentions behind our actions are holy motivations. We need to check our heart frequently so that we can work with purity of intention. Sometimes we 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. Virtue comes from within the heart of a person, where the Spirit dwells and inspires as he wills. We need to be attentive to the Holy Spirit and follow his lead.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, you know what is in my heart. Purify it and recast it in the image of your divine heart, so that I may love you and love others as you love them. Let me put aside all vanity and desire for appearances that does not give glory to you.

Resolution: I will examine my conscience as to the motives of my actions each day, making sure I am inspired by mercy, justice and faith.

Homily of the Day

August 23, 2016

Made Pure in Christ

In the first reading, we are encouraged to persevere in our calling as Christians. Nowadays we are not very good at persevering. Couples easily break up, priests leave their ministry, people in business cheat one another, etc. Perseverance is closely linked to faithfulness. We are called to persevere in our faithfulness to God. We have been enlightened by many events in our lives which have proven to us how much God loves us. So why do we not persevere in the faith? Because the devil constantly tempts us to think the opposite, to tell us that money is more important than family, that carnal pleasures are desirable and to escape from the cross. A Christian perseveres because he firmly believes that Jesus is the Lord and he wants to please him with all his being. But without the Holy Spirit he often falls to the temptations of the world. So he needs to live by the Spirit and nurture the love he has for God in his heart. He must say no to the devil every day and fight the daily battle of faith. If he keeps in mind that Jesus will come again, he will strive to persevere in his Christian life while eagerly awaiting His Second Coming.

The gospel tells us to clean and remove the dirt inside us. We are told not to be scrupulous but to mind the weightier matters of the Law which are justice, mercy and good faith. To be a follower of Christ means to understand the central point of Christianity, which is to love as Jesus loved us, till the point of death. So we know that we will have to be vigilant always and not fall into Pharisaic hypocrisy. Let us not be found among the goats at the Last Judgment but among the sheep that have been faithful to the teachings of the Lord.

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 32, Issue 5

<< Tuesday, August 23, 2016 >>

St. Rose of Lima

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 14-17
View Readings

Psalm 96:10-13

Matthew 23:23-26
Similar Reflections

THE PEACE OF THE LORD

The Lord "has made the world firm, not to be moved." —Psalm 96:10

Satan tries to disturb the peace. He wants everything in an uproar. He specializes in chaos. However, "God is a God, not of confusion, but of peace" (1 Cor 14:33). He is "happy to see good order among" us and the firmness of our faith in Christ (Col 2:5). We should not let anything agitate or terrify us — even rumors about the end of the world (2 Thes 2:2). What if "the consummation of all is close at hand" (see 1 Pt 4:7)? We should still not be perturbed. Rather, we should remain calm so that we will be able to pray (1 Pt 4:7).

Our lives are founded on the rock of faith in Jesus and obedience to His Word (Mt 7:24). "The Lord is my life's Refuge; of whom should I be afraid?" (Ps 27:1) "Though an army encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war be waged upon me, even then will I trust" (Ps 27:3). As Jesus slept in the midst of a storm (Mt 8:25), so can we. We have a peace beyond understanding (Phil 4:7). We are "able to lead undisturbed and tranquil lives in perfect piety and dignity" (1 Tm 2:2). When the devil tries to pressure, manipulate, and stampede us, we can say: "I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother's lap, so is my soul within me" (Ps 131:2). "The peace of the Lord be with you always."

Prayer: Father, console our "hearts and strengthen them for every good work and word" (2 Thes 2:17).

Promise: "He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with His constancy." —Ps 96:13

Praise: St. Rose stilled her heart by being a daily communicant and by spending long hours in prayer. She found peace in her prayerful relationship with the Lord.

Big brothers love their newborn siblings.