Gospel Reading of the day - August 23, 2011

G O S P E L

 

Jesus criticizes the Pharisees because they were more concerned with the outward keeping of the law than with the inner transformation of their hearts. While they would tithe or put aside one-tenth of the herbs and spices they used when cooking, they neglected to show compassion or mercy to the weak and fallen. All their religious observances were performed in order to gain people’s praise and adoration, and not to bring about any real inner conversion. God isn’t so much concerned that we say all the prayers as He is more concerned that we help the poor and needy in our communities.

 

ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

 

Matthew 23:23-26

23 Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. But these you should have done, without neglecting the others. 24 Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! 25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.”

 

my reflections

t h i n k : God isn’t so much concerned that we say all the prayers as He is more concerned that we help the poor and needy in our communities.