Daily Gospel Reflection
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August 27, 2024
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.
Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!“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.
Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup,
so that the outside also may be clean.”
Today’s gospel seems critical: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.” These words stir up emotions in me—guilt, shame, and fear. My inner critic condemns me for times when I, too, act like these Pharisees and scribes. Typically, such uncomfortable emotions spark a desire for change, prompting me to immediately “cleanse the inside of my cup.”
Upon deeper reflection, however, I recognize that this desire for change is driven by fear—not the reverent fear of God, characterized by awe and profound respect, but a fear rooted in my own shortcomings. This realization invites us all to ponder: Is this the kind of internal formation God truly calls for?
I have been striving to respond to my critical inner voice with compassion. Recognizing that God is the ultimate source of compassion, I endeavored to adopt this mindset as I reflected on today’s gospel. Setting aside my critical voice and embracing God’s kindness, the words of the passage took on new meaning: Jesus recognizes our imperfections and weaknesses and invites us to grow. It’s an acknowledgment of our humanity. This perspective was deeply humbling. Once again, I was motivated to change, but this time, it was an intrinsic desire out of gratitude for God’s understanding.
Jesus’ call for transformation is not about inducing fear but inviting us to live more fully in the light of God’s love and infinite mercy. Fear, especially when tied to self-condemnation, can be a powerful motivator but often leads to a cycle of guilt and shame. May we be reminded that God’s love and compassion are central to Christian teaching, and true conversion and growth come from a place of love and humility.
Prayer
Lord God, your Son walked among us flawed human beings. He loved the poor, the sick, and the widowed. He delighted in little children. He sat at table with men and women who were sinners and called them to new life. Only hypocrisy raised anger in Jesus. Open our eyes and hearts to see ourselves as we are and to cast ourselves upon your mercy rather than to cover our shame with lying to ourselves and to those around us. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Monica was, above all, a stubborn mother.
She was married at a young age to an adulterous government official with a violent temper. Years of Monica’s patience and prayer converted him to Christianity just before he died. She prayed unceasingly for her children as well, especially for her brilliant but wayward son, Augustine. Priests learned to avoid her because of her persistence in asking for prayers for him.
She followed Augustine as he pursued studies in Carthage and Rome, praying at shrines and chapels the whole way. They both finally arrived at Milan, where they met St. Ambrose. It was under Ambrose’s guidance that Augustine fulfilled his potential and became one of the most brilliant writers and thinkers the Church has ever known. After 17 years of constant prayer, Monica saw her son baptized when he was 32; St. Augustine’s feast day is tomorrow.
St. Monica is the patron saint of alcoholics, victims of abuse and adultery, widows, and mothers facing family difficulties. Her relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica. Her story and image are used by high school students who come to campus for a summer conference with the Notre Dame Vision program.
St. Monica, your prayer brought your family to Christ, pray for us!
Image credit:
illustration by Julie Lonneman and used with permission.