Gospel: August 26, 2026
August 26, 2026 (Wednesday)
21st Week in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 1 (Green)
Ps 128:1-2, 4-5
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
1st Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18
We command you, beloved, to stay away from believers who are living in idleness, contrary to the traditions we passed on to you. You know, how you ought to follow our example: we worked while we were with you. Day and night, we labored and toiled so as not to be a burden to any of you. We had the right to act otherwise, but we wanted to give you an example. Besides, while we were with you, we said clearly: If anyone is not willing to work, neither should that one eat.
May the Lord of peace give you his peace at all times and in every way. May the Lord be with you all. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is my signature in all my letters. This is how I write. May the grace of Christ Jesus our Lord be with you.
Gospel: Matthew 23:27-32
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, beautiful in appearance; but, inside, there are only dead bones and uncleanness. In the same way, you appear religious to others, but you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness within.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets, and decorate the monuments of the righteous. You say: Had we lived in the time of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the blood of the prophets. So, you, yourselves, confess to be the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. And now, finish off what your ancestors began!
Reflection:
Spiritual pride can lead to a hollow faith.
Matthew presents a vivid depiction of hypocrisy, with Jesus referring to the scribes and Pharisees as “whitewashed tombs.” Externally, they portray themselves as righteous, but internally, they are filled with corruption and evil. This striking image reminds us of the peril of concentrating solely on outward appearances while ignoring the state of the heart.
Jesus warns that spiritual pride can lead to a hollow faith, where actions may appear holy but are motivated by selfish desires instead of genuine love for God and others. The Scribes and Pharisees revered the prophets of old, yet their hearts were distant from the truth those prophets proclaimed.
This passage challenges us to live with integrity, ensuring that our faith is not a facade but a reflection of a transformed heart. It calls us to surrender our inner struggles to God, allowing His grace to cleanse and renew us. May we strive for authenticity, embrace humility, and seek to align our actions with a heart fully devoted to God’s righteousness and love.
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