Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Matthew 23: 23-26
August 26, 2025 | Tuesday

Today’s Gospel

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You do not forget the mint, anise and cumin seeds when you demand the tenth of everything; but then, you forget what is most fundamental in the law: justice, mercy and faith! You should have done these things without neglecting the others. Blind guides! You strain out a mosquito, but swallow a camel.

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You fill the plate and the cup, with theft and violence, and then pronounce a blessing over them. Blind Pharisee! Purify the inside first, then the outside, too, will be purified.

Today’s Reflection

Paul narrates about his experience before coming to Thessalonica (Acts 16.19-40) in Philippi. The letter gives us the “flogging” in passim here. But we have just to imagine the different struggles and difficulties of the disciples of Christ in the different persecutions they have undergone. The heroic acts are actually narrated in the Book of Acts. We live in a tolerant society, but unlike in some other countries, this kind of persecution of faith is still present. Paul addresses this while recuperating, which may be in Thessalonica. He also defended himself from the different accusations thrown against him, especially of “insincerity” in his preaching and witnessing. Paul reiterates that they have experienced persecution and that only with the grace of God were they able to carry on. It was a consolation for him to learn that, in spite of difficulties and challenges they encountered in preaching the faith, Thessalonians were as vigorous as ever. He also sends his affectionate greetings and love for them in his salutation.

The Gospel continues the narration of Jesus’“woes”. After his critique of the leaders’ people not being able to distinguish for the people between the sacred and the profane, He proceeds to criticize the practice of swearing to “ridiculous objects” and the like. They’ve again forgotten that the offerings at the altar are secondary to the altar itself. We should be mindful of the real object of our worship and offerings. Otherwise, it is a form of blasphemy. The point of the Gospel is the neglect of God’s mercy, goodness, and justice. We do not need to swear to do something in return for something. God does not need our “offerings and swearing.” We need to change our hearts for us to be delightful in His sight. The goodness in our hearts will not desire something else but rather the good of our brothers and sisters and not our selfish interest.

/Vulnerasti, 2025