21ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
St. Augustine, bishop & doctor
Psalter: Week 1 / (White)
Ps 96:10, 11-12, 13
The Lord comes to judge the earth.
1st Reading: 2 Thes 2:1-3a, 14-17
Brothers and sisters, let us speak about the coming of Christ Jesus, our Lord, and our gathering to meet him. Do not be easily unsettled. Do not be alarmed by what a prophet says, or by any report, or by some letter said to be ours, saying, the day of the Lord is at hand. Do not let yourselves be deceived, in any way. Apostasy must come first, when the man of sin will appear,
To this end he called you, through the gospel we preach, for he willed you, to share the glory of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Because of that, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions that we taught you, by word or by letter. May Christ Jesus, our Lord, who has loved us, may God our Father, who, in his mercy, gives us everlasting comfort and true hope, strengthen you. May he encourage your hearts and make you steadfast in every good work and word.
Gospel: Mt 23:23-26
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You do not forget the mint, anise and cumin seeds when you demand the tenth of everything; but then, you forget what is most fundamental in the law: justice, mercy and faith! You should have done these things without neglecting the others. Blind guides! You strain out a mosquito, but swallow a camel.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You fill the plate and the cup, with theft and violence, and then pronounce a blessing over them. Blind Pharisee! Purify the inside first, then the outside, too, will be purified.
Reflections
Purify the inside first, then the outside, too, will be purified
Augustine, the restless soul, sought for meaning in his life by giving in to his appetites and pursuing his carnal desires, which left him empty. He temporarily found meaning in Manichaeism, a dualistic philosophy and way of life that, through reason and will power, promoted an ascetical life. However, he did not find peace in such moral gymnastics — until he encountered Jesus through the Gospels and the preaching of St. Ambrose.
He ultimately found peace and joy, truth and meaning not in his commitment to a philosophy but in his relationship with Jesus Christ.
Daily Reflection 2018
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
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