A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (23:27-32)
Jesus said,
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside,
but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth.
Even so, on the outside you appear righteous,
but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You build the tombs of the prophets
and adorn the memorials of the righteous,
and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors,
we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’
Thus you bear witness against yourselves
that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets;
now fill up what your ancestors measured out!”
Reflection: Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, in today’s Gospel, Jesus delivers some of the sharpest, most uncomfortable words in the entire New Testament, that should MAKE every one of us, shift uncomfortably in our seats. Jesus confronts the scribes and Pharisees, comparing them to whitewashed tombs. On the outside, these tombs appear beautiful, clean, and spotless for all to see. On the inside, however, they are filled with dead people’s bones, and total decay. Jesus uses this striking, perceptive image, to expose the devastating gap, between the outward religious appearance, and the actual reality, of the human heart.
It is easy today to read this passage, as a historical critique of ancient religious leaders, but Jesus’ words are holding up a mirror, to us today!
We build our own whitewashed tombs, whenever we treat our Catholic faith, like a performance. We fall into this trap, when we show up to Mass, say the right responses, and look perfectly holy in the pews, yet allow our hearts to remain cold, judgmental, indifferent to others, or we refuse to accept the MISSION. When we work harder to maintain a flawless public image, than we do to cultivate a private life of deep prayer, we are simply, painting the outside of the tomb.
Jesus also warns against the hypocrisy, of honoring past holy figures, while rejecting the truth in our current lives. He points out, that the religious leaders build monuments, to the prophets their ancestors killed, claiming they would have acted differently. Yet, they are actively plotting to kill the Truth, standing right in front of them. We do the same, when we admire the radical lives of the saints, but refuse to let the Holy Spirit convict us, of our sins today. It is comfortable to admire dead prophets; it is much harder to listen when a spouse, a friend, or a priest, speaks a difficult truth, that requires us to change.
Jesus does not use these harsh words, to crush or condemn us, but to shake us, out of our own-made, spiritual comfort. He loves us too much, to let us live in a state of superficial holiness.
The remedy to a whitewashed faith is, total honesty before God. Instead of hiding our brokenness, bitterness, or secret habits, behind a mask of perfection, we are called to bring them, into the light of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confession is where Jesus cleanses the inside of the tomb, our inner faults, turning a place of hidden decay, into a living, authentic sanctuary, of the Holy Spirit.
“Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for You.”
Action for the day: Please know that this action, does not replace confession with your priest. This is simply, for you to connect with God, and with today’s Gospel.
Make an intentional effort today, to create a moment of silence, and place yourself in the presence of God. Then, reflect about the current state, of the inside of your heart; is it more about “looking good” to others, than being close to God? What is one hidden sin, resentment, or habit, that you are actively, trying to keep hidden, behind a holy exterior? Then, when you are ready, pray the Act of Contrition, to express your sorrow, and your desire, to amend your life.
Audio Reflection:
