Cleanse the Inside, Too

Wednesday, 30th August 2023. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Ps. 139:7-12, Matthew 23:27-32 

“So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matthew 23:28-29)

One of the most difficult things is trying to correct someone in authority. Jesus would have tried to be quiet, but he said the truth just as it is. In another passage, Jesus says: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28).

When it comes to correcting our religious leaders, there is a tendency for us to quote passages such as “Touch not my anointed ones, and do my prophet no harm.” (1 Chronicles 16:22 & Psalm 105:15). The greatest harm we do to God’s anointed ones is refusing to tell them the truth.

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus likened the Scribes and Pharisees to whitewashed tombs, beautiful from the outside but full of dead men’s bones inside. If people get close to us, would they see something different from what we portray in public?

Jesus also condemned the fact that the Scribes and Pharisees had a practice of adorning the tombs of the prophets (who were killed for speaking the truth) to exonerate themselves from the crimes of their ancestors. Meanwhile, they were preparing to kill Jesus just as their fathers killed the prophets. It is easy to judge others, but it is always more profitable first to put ourselves in their shoes.

In today’s first reading, St. Paul, writing to the Thessalonians, stated: “For you remember our labour and toil, brethren; we worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you, while we preached to you the gospel of God…” (1 Thessalonians 2:9) Have I become a burden to my flock financially? Do I only think of what I would get from them?

St. Paul continues: “You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our behaviour to you believers.” (1 Thessalonians 2:10). Can I, as a religious leader, say this to my flock? Am I truly a role model when it comes to righteousness and holiness? 

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, I give us the grace to practice what we preach. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of week 21 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Ps. 139:7-12, Matthew 23:27-32).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu