TUESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT - Gospel (Matthew 23:1-12) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Mt 23:12)

FIRST READING - Is 1:10, 16-20

A reading from the Book of Isaiah

Hear the word of the LORD,

princes of Sodom!

Listen to the instruction of our God,

people of Gomorrah!

Wash yourselves clean!

Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes;

cease doing evil; learn to do good.

Make justice your aim: redress the wronged,

hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow.

Come now, let us set things right,

says the LORD:

Though your sins be like scarlet,

they may become white as snow;

Though they be crimson red,

they may become white as wool.

If you are willing, and obey,

you shall eat the good things of the land;

But if you refuse and resist,

the sword shall consume you:

for the mouth of the LORD has spoken!

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Mt 23:1-12

From the Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,

"The scribes and the Pharisees

have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.

Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,

but do not follow their example.

For they preach but they do not practice.

They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry

and lay them on people's shoulders,

but they will not lift a finger to move them.

All their works are performed to be seen.

They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.

They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,

greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'

As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.'

You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.

Call no one on earth your father;

you have but one Father in heaven.

Do not be called 'Master';

you have but one master, the Christ.

The greatest among you must be your servant.

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;

but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

TUESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT - Gospel (Matthew 23:1-12)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

Today's Word of God, Jesus continues to teach His disciples and the people to listen to and put into practice the teachings of the elders, the scribes, and the Pharisees, because their teachings come from the teachings that God wants them to convey to the people.

However, God wants people not to look at their actions and ways of life to imitate them. He knows the way of life of the leaders, the scribes, and the Pharisees—they speak the words of God but do not put them into practice.

Today, God also wants His disciples and all the children of humanity to listen to and live by what the shepherds and teachers of the faith teach, but do not look at their wrong ways of life and behavior.

God wants people to look at the example of the life and behavior of Jesus Christ to discern what is the Truth. Because only Jesus Christ is God, the Truth, and is Perfect.

His teachings and His actions always go together. He taught us to love, to forgive, to sacrifice ourselves to save souls, and He did; the concrete proof is that He gave up His glory in Heaven to come to earth to become human, to die, and to rise again to save souls.

Today's Word of God teaches the people one Truth: All of Jesus' teachings come from God. He is the most Holy Teacher, the Father, and the only One who directs.

Therefore, His children should look to the example of Jesus and live accordingly. God does not hate sinners, but He hates sin. Therefore, He guides us to be "wise as serpents and simple as doves" That is, to be vigilant and avoid the bad examples of leaders and teachers of the Word of God.

Be wise in discerning between what they preach and what they do. Shepherds and teachers of God's Word teach good words, words that are from God. However, when they do not live according to what they preach, God's children must know that Satan has set traps in their lives.

“Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test."

-We must live the teachings that come from God. Take Jesus as a shining example, a compass for us to follow. Do not naively look at the behavior and lifestyles of shepherds and teachers of the faith and imitate them. God also wants His children not to judge them, but to sacrifice more and pray for our shepherds and teachers, because Satan has, is, and will sift them like wheat. Stand firm in the faith and walk in the Truth.

Thanks be to God. Amen.