21ST TUESDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Matthew 23:23-26) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.” (Mt 23:26)

FIRST READING - 1 Thess 2:1-8

"We were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well."

A reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians

¹ For you yourselves know, brothers, that our reception among you was not without effect. ² Rather, after we had suffered and been insolently treated, as you know, in Philippi, we drew courage through our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much struggle. ³ Our exhortation was not from delusion or impure motives, nor did it work through deception. ⁴ But as we were judged worthy^[a] by God to be entrusted with the gospel, that is how we speak, not as trying to please human beings, but rather God, who judges our hearts. ⁵ Nor, indeed, did we ever appear with flattering speech, as you know, or with a pretext for greed—God is witness— ⁶ nor did we seek praise from human beings, either from you or from others, ⁷ although we were able to impose our weight as apostles of Christ. Rather, we were gentle^[b] among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children. ⁸ With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Mt 23:23-26

"But these you should have done, without neglecting the others."

✠From the Gospel according to Matthew

²³ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes^[a] of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. [But] these you should have done, without neglecting the others. ^24 [b]Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!

^25 [c]“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. ²⁶ Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.

21ST TUESDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Matthew 23:23-26)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

Today’s Word of God speaks to the entire community of God's people, saying: never live in hypocrisy, but live in truth with the person whom God created from the very beginning.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus rebukes the scribes and Pharisees of old, saying: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.” Through this, God also reminds everyone: do not let God have to say the word “woe” to you, for “woe” is a grave rebuke that God will use to punish those who live deceitfully, hypocritically, arrogantly, and full of sin and greed before Him.

God is the Most High, the Almighty. He sees clearly all creatures in heaven and on earth, and He knows all things, even the thoughts and the hearts of each person. Therefore, He teaches His disciples, as well as all those who trust in the power of the Most High God, that: never live in hypocrisy before God, but live with a kind heart full of love and forgiveness—that is the heart that God has given from the beginning of creation.

God also revealed that those who live with a righteous conscience before Him are very pleasing in His sight. He will grant them a worthy reward. But those who live in greed and hypocrisy before God do not bring Him joy; and because He is the Holy One, the God of Love, yet also perfectly just. He will grant human beings their freedom of choice. But if one chooses to follow God, one must bear His punishment in order to be purified and cleansed by Him.

Therefore, while still living on this earth, everyone should strive to make use of every opportunity and moment that God has given to live truthfully, righteously, and justly before God and before our brothers and sisters.

Thanks be to God. Amen

19:00 August 26, 2025 - Prayer of Divine Mercy - The Way to Heaven