GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 28TH AUGUST 2017
MEMORIAL OF SAINT AUGUSTINE, BISHOP & DOCTOR
FIRST READING: 1Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8-10
PSALM: Psalm 149:1-6, 9
GOSPEL: Matthew 23:13-22
THEME: BEHIND THE MASK
Behind every mask is a story. It is a story of one who is seeking to offer to the world what he/she is not and does not have. A mask does not hide who you are; it only shows who you truly are – a pretender.
In our Gospel text, Jesus unmasks some maskers of religion in the Jewish community. The text for today offers us three out of seven “woes” addressed to them. In the first “woe”, Jesus laments that by their way of life these religious leaders had made themselves obstacles to those who desire to enter the kingdom of heaven – “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them” (Mt. 23:13).
Our world is full of pretenders. Like chameleons, there are many people who change their “colours” to take advantage of situations. Some people wear masks in relationships – presenting to their partners, a self that does not really exist. Unfortunately, some end up marrying maskers and only discover the truth later on in life.
Maskers can also be found in politics, business and other spheres of life. It is even more dangerous when these pretenders clothe themselves with the garments of religion and masquerade as men and women of God. With their ‘spiritual make-ups’, they deceive and rob unwary customers and destroy homes.
We cannot continue to live our lives wearing masks. No matter how fast a person is, one can never run away from truth. You would either have to face truth today or it would face you tomorrow.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, deliver me from the spirit of deception. Grant me the grace to love the truth always and be genuine in my dealings with others. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).