Cycle A - Year I:  

5 November 2023: Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading:        Malachi 1:14--2:2, 8-10

Second Reading:   1 Thessalonians 2:7-9, 13

Gospel:  Please read  Matthew 23:1-12 

Faith and action together!

When I was a seminarian and vacationing in my home place, I was relaxing in our public park. A pastor approached me and started a debate on religion. The pastor did not know I was a seminarian. He started by proclaiming that faith alone is enough for us to be saved. In reaction, I noticed him holding a pen, so I asked: "Do you have faith that your pen can write?" "Yes, of course," was his quick response. So I challenged him, "Now, show me how it can write without using your hard doing the writing." With that, the pastor left me in peace.

In today's Gospel incident, we hear our Lord Jesus Christ's harsh condemnation of the Pharisees and the Scribes who were the religious leaders of His time. Jesus criticizes them because of the disconnect between their words and their actions. Their basic error is that they preach but they themselves do not follow what they preach.

Jesus recognizes the authority and knowledge of the Pharisees and the Scribes. "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice." (Mt 23:2-3)   

Going further, Jesus enumerates the diverse point which reveals this incoherence in their preaching and action. For example, some scribes and Pharisees imposed heavy laws upon the people. They know the laws well, but they did not practice them; neither did they use their knowledge of the law to lessen the weight imposed upon the people.

Clearly, our Lord Jesus is talking about their hypocrisy during His time, and even today in our own generation. He condemns the lack of coherence and of sincerity in the relationship with God and with the neighbor. This hypocrisy and incoherence is happening down to our generation among those we look up as leaders, in civil society, political field and even in religious groups. What is worst is the corruption of supposed to be the best, because people get demoralized over scandals involving spiritual leaders.   

Leadership and whatever titles we earned or given to us are good as long as they remind us of and lead us to God's presence. But we should give more importance to service rather than to honors and titles. All community functions should be assumed as a service to God through our neighbors. Take heed of the parting words of Jesus in today's Gospel: "The greatest among you must be your servant."        

Jesus reminds His disciples, and His followers today, to act in a way that exemplifies their faith in God and love for all people. He wants all of us to follow His example of serving others and putting others humbly before our own needs.

Being a Christian is a 24/7 commitment, And if we try hard to live that out, we can be a beautiful example to others, just like Jesus was. And true Christian life leads to peace and true joy.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!