For me, the scripture readings in today’s Mass all seem to follow a theme – the danger of hypocrisy as we live out our faith.
In the Old Testament reading (Malachi 1:14 – 2:10), we hear God, through the prophet, castigating the religious leaders of that time for their faithlessness, their infidelity to God’s law, and their misguided leadership of the Jewish people.
In the gospel (Matthew 23:1-12) we hear Jesus condemn the Pharisees and Scribes for their self-righteousness and hypocrisy, their misplaced pride and self-glorification, and the disparity between their words and actions.
Some might think that the message of these scripture passages is directed exclusively at religious leaders. In actuality, all of us must take these words to heart.
In this day and age where so many are excusing themselves from formal religious observation and communal participation because of what they perceive as self-righteous attitudes and hypocritical behaviors, it is important for us to be faithful to God in all our dealings, both inside and outside of church. Our religious observation of course must be motivated by, above all else, love for, and gratitude to, God. And the love and thanksgiving we offer God at Mass should inform all of our behaviors and actions outside of Mass. As Jesus once again reminds us today, we are called to glorify God, not ourselves. We are called to humble ourselves and serve each other. It is by living the life of selflessness and servitude that Jesus prescribes, that we best live out our love for, and gratitude to, God. It is by putting others before ourselves – just as Jesus did – that we best demonstrate a truly authentic faith and provide Christian witness for the world.
So we continue forward on our journey. With God’s help we strive to live out our faith in an authentic and loving manner. We look to glorify God both in our formal religious observance and in our dealings with each other. We proceed out of our church and into the world intent upon loving and serving each other, so that anyone watching might come to see the love of God in their midst.