By Naresh Namindla csc –
Readings: 2 Thes 2: 1-3a, 14-17; Mt 23:23-26
In the first reading of day St. Paul alerts the people of Thessalonica not to be deceived by the false teachings but rather to hold onto the traditions of the church. Because Jesus chose them as the first fruits for the salvation they need to remain with the church in order to be saved on second coming of Jesus.
The gospel reading of today invites us not to be like Pharisees and teachers of the law who are double minded and say one thing to people and do something else. Jesus calls them “Blind Guides” and compares them to cup washed outside, but inside greedy and selfish. There is a little Pharisee in us that blocks us from revealing to the public who we truly are. We tend to put on a mask and act differently with different people. We hold different positions in our family, workplace and in community. These positions should make us responsible, approachable and compassionate and thus a good guide for others.
But when we feel inadequate or a have hidden agenda, we tend to put on a mask and play roles that will make us hypocrites. But Jesus does not want us to be like Pharisees rather be a good person to fulfill the will of God as he wants us to fulfill. Therefore, to become a true follower of Christ let us recognize that little Pharisee in us and pray to Jesus to remove it from within us.