Wednesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

National Back to School Month

Saints: Saint Louis (1214-1270); Saint Joseph of Calasanz (1557-1648); Saint Mary of Jesus Crucified Baouardy (1846-1878)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 67 Brothers Sent on a Journey

Mass: Th 2:9-13; Resp Ps 139; Mt 23:27-32

If I go up to the heavens, you are there.

JESUS, THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

In today's Gospel, Jesus addresses hypocrites. Woe to you (Mt 23:27), He says. Pope Francis, in today's Wednesday Catechesis had this to say about hypocrites:

Hypocrites are people who pretend, flatter and deceive because they live with a mask over their faces and do not have the courage to face the truth. For this reason, they are not capable of truly loving: a hypocrite does not know how to love. They limit themselves to living out of egoism and do not have the strength to show their hearts transparently. There are many situations in which hypocrisy is at work. It is often hidden in the work place where someone appears to be friends with their colleagues while, at the same time, stabbing them in the back due to competition. In politics, it is not unusual to find hypocrites who live one way in public and another way in private. Hypocrisy in the Church is particularly detestable; and unfortunately, hypocrisy exists in the Church and there are many hypocritical Christians and ministers. We should never forget the Lord's words: "Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil" (Mt 5:37). Brothers and sisters, today, let us think about the hypocrisy that Paul condemns, and that Jesus condemns: hypocrisy. And let us not be afraid to be truthful, to the speak the truth, to hear the truth, to conform ourselves to the truth, so we can love. A hypocrite does not know how to love. To act other than truthfully means jeopardizing the unity of the Church, that unity for which the Lord Himself prayed.

And now a word from our saints of the day:

In order to avoid discord, never contradict anyone except in case of sin or some danger to a neighbor.

(Saint Louis IX, King of France)

You should permit yourself to be tormented by every kind of martyrdom before you allow yourself to commit a mortal sin.

(Saint Louis IX, King of France)

All who undertake to teach must be endowed with deep love, the greatest patience, and, most of all, profound humility. They must perform their work with earnest zeal. Then through their humble prayers, the Lord will find them worthy to become fellow workers with him in the cause of truth.

(Saint Joseph of Calasanz)

SAINT LOUIS,

SAINT JOSEPH OF CALASANZ,

SAINT MARY OF JESUS CRUCIFIED,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

 

Today's photo: The Ottos strike again with another beauty from their recent camping adventure to Benson Lake in the Benson State Recreation in Oregon. This shot is from their day hike to Tenas Lakes and the top of Scott Mountain, as seen in yesterday's photo. There is certainly more of this to come. 

© Gertrude Feick 2021