Daily Mass Readings for Wednesday, 30 August 2023
First Reading: First Thessalonians 2: 9-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 139: 7-8, 9-10, 11-12ab
Alleluia: First John 2: 5
Gospel: Matthew 23: 27-32
Wednesday, 30 August 2023
First Reading
First Thessalonians 2: 9-13
You recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery.
Working night and day in order not to burden any of you,
we proclaimed to you the Gospel of God.
You are witnesses, and so is God,
how devoutly and justly and blamelessly
we behaved toward you believers.
As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his children,
exhorting and encouraging you and insisting
that you walk in a manner worthy of the God
who calls you into his Kingdom and glory.
And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly,
that, in receiving the word of God from hearing us,
you received it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God,
which is now at work in you who believe.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 139:7-8, 9-10, 11-12ab
You have searched me and you know me, Lord.
Where can I go from your spirit?
From your presence where can I flee?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I sink to the nether world, you are present there.
You have searched me and you know me, Lord.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
Even there your hand shall guide me,
and your right hand hold me fast.
You have searched me and you know me, Lord.
If I say, "Surely the darkness shall hide me,
and night shall be my light"–
For you darkness itself is not dark,
and night shines as the day.
You have searched me and you know me, Lord.
Alleluia
1 Jn 2:5
Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever keeps the word of Christ,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mt 23:27-32
Jesus said,
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside,
but inside are full of dead men's bones and every kind of filth.
Even so, on the outside you appear righteous,
but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You build the tombs of the prophets
and adorn the memorials of the righteous,
and you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our ancestors,
we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets' blood.'
Thus you bear witness against yourselves
that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets;
now fill up what your ancestors measured out!"
Todays Reflection
The Firmness and Strength of Love
Jesus' words to the scribes and Pharisees were a powerful condemnation of their sin, aimed at shaking them free from their attachment to sin. These words were spoken out of love and concern for those suffering under the misguided leadership of these religious leaders. Jesus knew that these leaders would also hear His words, and he did so out of perfect virtue to care for their souls.
At times, we need to hear Jesus rebuke us in love. If the scribes and Pharisees were open, Jesus' words would have first stung them to the heart but then had the powerful effect of challenging them to change. Emotion and passion can lead to sin, but it can also lead to repentance and conversion. The passion with which Jesus spoke became an instrument by which their own passions made them take notice, leading to either more sin or repentance.
Reflecting on the strength of Jesus' words to these religious leaders, we can see that they needed Jesus' strength, courage, and firmness. If we are open, Jesus wants to powerfully go after every sin within us and help rid us of the sins with which we struggle the most. Open ourselves to Him and allow Him to help rid us of the sins with which we struggle the most. Be grateful for this grace when He does.
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