First reading 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3,14-17
Stand firm and keep the traditions we have taught you
To turn, brothers, to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we shall all be gathered round him: please do not get excited too soon or alarmed by any prediction or rumour or any letter claiming to come from us, implying that the Day of the Lord has already arrived. Never let anyone deceive you in this way.
Through the Good News that we brought God called you to this so that you should share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Stand firm, then, brothers, and keep the traditions that we taught you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who has given us his love and, through his grace, such inexhaustible comfort and such sure hope, comfort you and strengthen you in everything good that you do or say.
Responsorial Psalm 95(96):10-13
The Lord comes to rule the earth.
Proclaim to the nations: ‘God is king.’
The world he made firm in its place;
he will judge the peoples in fairness.
Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad,
let the sea and all within it thunder praise,
let the land and all it bears rejoice,
all the trees of the wood shout for joy
at the presence of the Lord for he comes,
he comes to rule the earth.
With justice he will rule the world,
he will judge the peoples with his truth.
Gospel Matthew 23:23-26
Clean the inside of the cup first, so that the outside may become clean
Jesus said: ‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who pay your tithe of mint and dill and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the Law – justice, mercy, good faith! These you should have practised, without neglecting the others. You blind guides! Straining out gnats and swallowing camels!
‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who clean the outside of cup and dish and leave the inside full of extortion and intemperance. Blind Pharisee! Clean the inside of cup and dish first so that the outside may become clean as well.’
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The weightier matters of faith
Today, Jesus calls us to take off the masks that make us look outwardly good, righteous, and virtuous. True Christianity is not formality that tries to placate God, but action rooted in the “weightier matters”: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These are the real measures of a Christian life.
Jesus tells us, “Clean the inside of the cup and dish first so that the outside may become clean as well.” He calls us to look beneath our behaviours and ask why we do what we do. It is possible to attend Mass, give alms, or follow rules while still having resentment, envy, or a sense of superiority. We may pray in public but speak harshly at home, serve in ministry yet gossip about those we serve with, or give generously while judging those who are in need. In the Gospel, Jesus emphasises the importance of integrity and cautions against hypocrisy. He warns us not to appear clean on the outside while remaining untouched in the heart. True worship connects our actions to inner conversion. Today, let us ask the Spirit to purify our motives and move us to mercy.
Reflective question:
How can I practice justice, mercy and faithfulness in my interactions with others today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
