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Tithes of Material Goods or Tithes of Contrition?

First Reading: 2 Thes. 2:1-3a, 14-17

Psalm: Ps. 96:10, 11-12, 13

Gospel: Mt. 23:23-26

Why were the scribes and Pharisees so obsessed with their tithes of mint, dill and cumin? Because these were the things that people saw. They cleaned the outside of the cup because that was what was seen. Their lack of faith, their judgmental thoughts, their lack of mercy, their greed and self-indulgence were personal and not seen by people, so they did not care to “clean” them.

Are we not like the scribes and Pharisees? Do we not distort the importance of our obligations, worrying more about what is seen by people? Then we do need to change for the better if we do not wish to hear from Jesus these harsh words: “Woe to you on judgment day!”

How do we clean the inside of our lives? Greed and self-indulgence come from the heart. If our heart is set on evil, then we will be covering our actions with the appearances of good. On the other hand, if our heart is set on what is good, then good actions will naturally follow.

Let us ask the Lord Jesus to enlighten our mind and hearts so that we can see ourselves as he sees us.

One Bread, One Body

<< Tuesday, August 28, 2012 >>

St. Augustine

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 14-17
View Readings

Psalm 96:10-13

Matthew 23:23-26

AN INSIDE JOB

"You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, and leave the inside filled with loot and lust!" —Matthew 23:25

The religious leaders of Jesus' time were more interested in exterior than interior cleanness. Likewise, today we are more interested in baths, showers, dry cleaners, dishwashers, washing machines, mouthwashes, shampoos, toothpastes, dental floss, disinfectants, clean air, clean water, street cleaners, etc. than we are interested in the interior cleaning from our sins by means of repentance, Confession, prayer, and penance.

We have things backwards, for interior cleanness is much more important than exterior cleanness. Without interior cleanness, we will lose perspective on reality (see Mt 23:23-24), gradually go spiritually blind (see 2 Cor 4:4), be enslaved (Jn 8:34), and become spiritually paralyzed (see Mk 2:3, 5). Unless we let the Lord cleanse us interiorly, we will apostatize (see 2 Thes 2:3), deprive ourselves of the saving value of Jesus' death (1 Cor 1:17), "surely die" in our sins (Jn 8:21, 24), and go to hell forever.

God has provided for us "a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness" (Zec 13:1). Go to Confession as soon as possible and pray: "A clean heart create for me, O God" (Ps 51:12). "Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me" (Ps 51:4).

Prayer: Father, make me pure as Jesus is pure (1 Jn 3:3).

Promise: "Therefore, brothers, stand firm. Hold fast to the traditions you received from us, either by our word or by letter." —2 Thes 2:15

Praise: St. Augustine discovered the worthlessness of the earthly and the true worth of the heavenly. He wrote: "See what I was in myself and by myself. I had destroyed myself, but He Who made me remade me."