Aug 28 2024

(Photo taken from Stpeterclaver Catholicchurch Ranau)

First reading 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10,16-18

We worked night and day not to be a burden on you

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we urge you, brothers, to keep away from any of the brothers who refuses to work or to live according to the tradition we passed on to you.

You know how you are supposed to imitate us: now we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we ever have our meals at anyone’s table without paying for them; no, we worked night and day, slaving and straining, so as not to be a burden on any of you. This was not because we had no right to be, but in order to make ourselves an example for you to follow.

We gave you a rule when we were with you: do not let anyone have any food if he refuses to do any work. May the Lord of peace himself give you peace all the time and in every way. The Lord be with you all.

From me, PAUL, these greetings in my own handwriting, which is the mark of genuineness in every letter; this is my own writing. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Responsorial Psalm 127(128):1-2,4-5

lessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the Lord,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the Lord.
The Lord bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Gospel Matthew 23:27-32

You are the sons of those who murdered the prophets

Jesus said: ‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who are like whitewashed tombs that look handsome on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of corruption. In the same way you appear to people from the outside like good honest men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who build the sepulchres of the prophets and decorate the tombs of holy men, saying, “We would never have joined in shedding the blood of the prophets, had we lived in our fathers’ day.” So! Your own evidence tells against you! You are the sons of those who murdered the prophets! Very well then, finish off the work that your fathers began.’

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God gives us peace all the time

“May the Lord of peace himself give you peace all the time and in every way. The Lord be with you all” (1st reading). St. Paul’s words lead us to recall the ones of Jesus to His disciples: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you…” (John 14:27). God wants us to live in peace even when we struggle through the storms of sickness, loss, betrayal and failure. Difficulties can take away our peace only when we forget that God is with us. The constant call for us is to allow Him to be our firm foundation on which we firmly stand.

“… from the outside you look upright, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness”. In today’s gospel, Jesus pointed out the painful truth to the scribes and the Pharisees. They were so concerned with appearing good to people that they forgot to depend on God and let Him empower and sustain them to live as His humble and faithful servants. Today, let us remember that God is with us and let His loving presence direct our every moment.

Reflective question:
What can I do to remind myself to keep looking at God as the source of peace?

Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year B” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.