Tuesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

(Optional Memorial for Saint Louis of France)

(Optional Memorial for Saint Joseph Calasanz, Priest)

 

Alternate Proper for the Memorial of St. Louis

 

Alternate Proper for the Memorial of St. Joseph Calasanz

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees” by James Tissot, 1886-94

 

Readings for Tuesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time [1][2]

 

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

 

Commentary:

 

Reading 1: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

 

Commentary on 1 Thes 2:1-8

 

The Apostle reminds the Thessalonians that, in his own experience, proclaiming the Word of God has caused turmoil and even persecution as he refers to his visit to Philippi (see Acts 16:19-40). St. Paul emphasizes both the content of the Gospel message and the need to present it gently and with full sincerity.  He concludes this selection reminding them of the deep affection with which he holds them.

 

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 139:1-3, 4-6

 

R. (1) You have searched me and you know me, Lord.

 

Commentary on Ps 139:1-3, 4-6

 

Psalm 139 is a hymn of meditation upon God’s presence in our lives.  The selection carries the awe that one so great could love one so insignificant.

 

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Gospel: Matthew 23:23-26

 

Commentary on Mt 23:23-26

 

This reading from Matthew continues the dialogue of the “Seven Woes”.  In this selection we hear how the Pharisees have extended the law of tithing down to the smallest of crops - herbs.  The implication is they are lost in the minutia of the Law and have forgotten lager faith issues.  The same reference is made when he says “Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!”

 

The final part of this section is concerned with “a metaphor illustrating a concern for appearances while inner purity is ignored”.[4] (see also Mark 7:4)  There is a strong reference here to the lack of self-control shown by these leaders.

 

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Reflection:

 

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

Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!”

 

Like so many little gems in scripture this one lesson falls into our laps today. It is a reminder that we must not become so focused on one element of our faith that we lose sight of the need for a holistic or 10,000 foot view.

 

In 1984, Joseph Cardinal Bernardin published a document on “A Consistent Ethic of Life”. He referred to this ethic as a “Seamless Garment” in reference to Jesus “seamless garment” for which the guards cast lots at his crucifixion. Putting it simplistically, the Cardinal stated that for us to authentically follow the teaching of the Church on the dignity of life, we must support the dignity of human life at all stages of life and under all circumstances.

 

A short time later at a fairly conservative parish I delivered a homily on the Church’s position on being pro-life in which I summarized the Cardinal’s teaching. In that homily I said that if one is pro-life and opposed to abortion, one must also be pro-life and reject capital punishment.

 

To my great surprise I was almost physically accosted by members of the Respect Life Committee following one of the Masses. They rhetorically asked me if I was trying to destroy their ministry by forcing people to link their objection to abortion with objection to capital punishment. When I tried to explain, they would have none of it. They had their ideas about the greatest evil in the world and nothing anyone said was going to change their minds.

 

I use this anecdote to illustrate the point made today in the Gospel. These people were so focused on one narrow aspect of an issue they had overlooked the bigger issue and fundamental tenet of our faith – love one another. They were not willing to expand their respect for life to include those who had committed grave sins against society, and had resorted to straining gnats while swallowing camels.

 

The Lord calls us to view our faith lives holistically. We apply the fundamental principles to our lives in all circumstances, not just those that are convenient. While we all have special interests within the faith, we must never focus on them to the exclusion of all others. We should never focus on the minutia and ignore the huge issues confronting us.

 

Pax

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[1] S.S Commemoratio

[2] The picture is “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees” by James Tissot, 1886-94

[4] See NAB footnote on Matthew 23:26