Reflections on the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ by Phyllis Booth
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mal 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10
Ps 131:1, 2, 3
1 Thes 2:7b-9, 13
Mt 23:1-12
Mal 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10
Ps 131:1, 2, 3
1 Thes 2:7b-9, 13
Mt 23:1-12
Today's first reading invites us to examine our thoughts and behavior regarding who we are. Malachi questioned the priests and Pharisees of Jerusalem, who were abusing their role as leaders; why they were showing partiality and taking advantages of their positions. They were teaching the Laws of God and expecting the people to live according to the law, but their own behavior was scandalous.
Malachi reminded the priests and Pharisees that we are all God's Children and we all have one Father who is God and even the priests and Pharisees are to live according to the Laws of God. If we examine our thoughts and behavior, are we talking the talk and walking the walk as God's children?
First Thessalonians expands on these same points because Paul and the disciples were gentle in their teaching of the Gospel and their behavior was compassionate, joyful and loving. They made no demands on the people, but encouraged them to receive the Word of God and believe that He is the Father of all and He is faithful to the covenant made with Abraham.
In Matthew's Gospel, we find Jesus telling the crowd and his disciples to observe the Scribes and Pharisees but do not follow their example. The Scribes and Pharisees preach but do not practice. They put heavy burdens on their followers but do nothing to help lift the burdens. They seek places of honor.
Jesus encourages the crowd to focus on the spiritual teachings of God's words. To live a life of service. Serve others from your heart, not for honors or status. Families are to be compassionate to one another. Married partners are to live lives that are pleasing to each other. WE are to feed the hungry, visit the sick and clothe the naked. We are to do all these things and more with humility because "whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matt 23:12)
~ Image found at Sabbath Sermons
Malachi reminded the priests and Pharisees that we are all God's Children and we all have one Father who is God and even the priests and Pharisees are to live according to the Laws of God. If we examine our thoughts and behavior, are we talking the talk and walking the walk as God's children?
First Thessalonians expands on these same points because Paul and the disciples were gentle in their teaching of the Gospel and their behavior was compassionate, joyful and loving. They made no demands on the people, but encouraged them to receive the Word of God and believe that He is the Father of all and He is faithful to the covenant made with Abraham.
In Matthew's Gospel, we find Jesus telling the crowd and his disciples to observe the Scribes and Pharisees but do not follow their example. The Scribes and Pharisees preach but do not practice. They put heavy burdens on their followers but do nothing to help lift the burdens. They seek places of honor.
Jesus encourages the crowd to focus on the spiritual teachings of God's words. To live a life of service. Serve others from your heart, not for honors or status. Families are to be compassionate to one another. Married partners are to live lives that are pleasing to each other. WE are to feed the hungry, visit the sick and clothe the naked. We are to do all these things and more with humility because "whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matt 23:12)
~ Image found at Sabbath Sermons
Labels: ordinary time, sundayreflection
posted by mary ann @ Monday, October 31, 2011
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