Our readings in today’s Mass concern embracing true faith, as opposed to that which is merely subjective, and understanding the nature of what our witnessing to Christ will entail. The first reading comes from the Second Letter to the Thessalonians, attributed to St. Paul, who, along with Silvanus and Timothy, writes to a community they founded in Thessalonica around 50 AD. This community faced significant persecution and affliction for their new faith. Paul’s intent in writing this letter was not merely to provide consolation, but also to affirm their faith and encourage their perseverance in the midst of challenges. At this time, the early Christian community was navigating a hostile environment, where they had to stand firm in their new identity as followers of Christ amidst societal pressure and religious opposition.
The second reading from the Gospel of Matthew is situated within Jesus' ministry, likely between 30 and 33 AD, addressing the crowds and his disciples. Here, Jesus delivers a series of scathing rebukes to the legitimate religious leaders of his time—the scribes and Pharisees. His critique exposes the hypocrisy and moral shortcomings of these leaders, who were entrusted with the responsibility of guiding the faithful but instead were leading them astray. This reflects the tension between the old covenant practices and the new way of living that Jesus was proclaiming.
In the passage from Second Thessalonians, we hear Paul’s heartfelt gratitude for a community that is flourishing in faith, love, and endurance. Their ability to persevere under persecution is not self-generated; it is a response to God’s grace.
Paul acknowledges that their trials are evidence of God's just judgment, indicating that through suffering, they are being prepared for the Kingdom of God. How deeply that resonates with us today! In our struggles—whether personal, social, or spiritual—we are reminded that we can find purpose and even give God glory in our endurance. We should pray, as Paul does, for the grace to persevere in faith. The name of our Lord Jesus should not only be glorified in our worship but also through our actions in a world that desperately needs the witness of true faith.
In contrast, the words of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel are a wake up call in their intensity. He lays bare the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, accusing them of locking others out of the Kingdom that they refuse to enter themselves. Jesus admonishes them for their valuing ritualistic oaths over the very sacred places that signify God’s presence. This teaches us critical lessons about authenticity. In our lives, we must ask ourselves whether we, too, might be guilty of pointing fingers at others while failing to recognize our own shortcomings. We must reflect on our burdensome rules that may hinder genuine connectivity with God and our brothers and sisters who may be struggling, yet never must we compromise our faith, what is good and holy, and what is true. And herein lies the problem today: under the guise of compassion or tolerance, we detriment our faith, morals, and identity. It’s a fine line, but it must be drawn.
This duality calls us to seek not only a personal relationship with Christ but also to ensure our actions reflect the compassion and integrity that our uncompromised faith demands. We, too, are called to be witnesses of the transformative power of Christ, not mere spectators of our traditions. We need to always try to figure out the spirit with which those traditions were formulated and refer back to that original spirit as a guide to our present actions. This was our Lord’s insight as regard the Sabbath: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” Mark 2:27 – he called attention to the original purpose. Or, when speaking on marriage: "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning” Matthew 19:8.
As we aspire to grow in faith like the Thessalonians, we should remember that this happens most concretely when we heed Jesus’ words. Our presence in the world must actively invite others into a deeper relationship with God rather than erecting barriers of judgment. Let us never be the ones of whom Jesus said; “Woe to you… You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter… You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves” Matthew 23:13-22. May we embody the grace and peace that come from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, living authentically and generously, inspiring others by our humble and charitable example to seek the Kingdom of God with open hearts. Let us strive for a faith that not only endures but teaches others to enter into the fullness of life that Christ offers to all. Amen.
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