Reflection for August 25 Monday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 23:13-22

Gospel: Matthew 23:13-22

Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. 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.

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.’ Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.’ 

You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it.” 

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Reflection:

Do you allow your faith in Jesus to transform you into a practicing follower? Faith is not just a label we wear—it is a life we are called to live. For example, consider His teaching on forgiveness (Matthew 18:21). Do you embrace this teaching that calls us to forgive always, or do you set conditions before extending forgiveness? Do you sometimes appear to forgive outwardly, but deep within—your heart still harbor a deep-seated resentment toward those who have wronged you? 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus condemns in the strongest terms the scribes and Pharisees because they preached the Law but failed to live it. They converted people to their way, yet after conversion, they imposed burdens and conditions that served only their own interests. By doing so, they led people away from the pure teachings of God and directed them instead toward their own self-serving doctrines and desires. 

But Jesus calls us to something higher and holier. He wants us to lead by example. Our words must flow from lives that are aligned with the Gospel. It is not enough to give lip service to our faith. If we say we follow Jesus, then it is incumbent upon us to live as He lived: in simplicity, humility, mercy, forgiveness, and compassion. 

The world needs not only teachers of the Word but living witnesses who radiate Christ in their actions. Let us ask ourselves: when people look at my life, do they see Jesus? Do my words match my deeds? Do I forgive as He forgives, love as He loves, and serve as He serves? — Marino J. Dasmarinas