Tuesday: 21^st Week in Ordinary Time-B

I Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8: We were eager to hand over to you not only the Good News but our whole lives as well.

Gospel: Matthew 23:23-26: You should have practised these matters of the Law, without neglecting the others!

The Eight Accusations against False Religionists, Mt 23:13-36

Jesus attacked and denounced the false religionists (The Scribes and the Pharisees) frankly and openly. He exposed their hypocrisy and inner hearts and minds which were corrupted and doomed to hell. Jesus levelled eight accusations against the religionists.

1. False religionists stress the lighter commandments and neglect the important ones (v.23-24)

a. They stress the lighter duties and neglect the more important duties

b. They avoid the lesser sins and commit the greater sins

2. False religionists are blind to real cleanness (v.25-26)

a. Their outside appears clean

b. Their insides are full of greed and self-indulgence

c. Their need: First clean the inside; then the outside will be clean

Thought: The false religionists (The Scribes and the Pharisees) fail at justice, mercy and good faith.

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