OUR DAILY VITAMIN FOR THE SOUL... Monday, August 25. Denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees - Mt 23:13-22 [Jesus said,] 13“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the kingdom of heaven before human beings. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter. [14] 15“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves. 16“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.’ 17Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred? 18And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.’ 19You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; 21one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; 22one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it.” Reflection & Challenge: You lock the kingdom of heaven before human beings. The scribes and Pharisees are supposed to interpret and explain the law that people may understand it, follow it, and thereby attain closer communion with God. These religious leaders, however, fail to listen to God’s word. They mislead the people they are supposed to guide. Here, Jesus reminds them that they are not opening the gates of the kingdom of God to the people. Instead, their unnecessary and burdensome rules serve to close the door of heaven even to themselves. The key to the doors of heaven is Jesus himself. He brings the good news of salvation into our hearts. He continues to reach out to us, even to those who resist, because he wants us all to enter his Father’s kingdom. Let us, for our part, strive to be receptive to God’s presence in our lives through the scriptures, the sacraments, and our acts of love and generosity. “The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner he wills it; and, thirdly, to do it because it is his will” (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton). We pray: Lord Jesus, your word is life for me. May I never shut the door to your heavenly kingdom through my stubborn pride or disbelief. Help me to listen to your voice attentively and to conform my life more fully to your word. AMEN. (365 days journey with the Lord)
Posted on: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 01:31:12 +0000
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