Wednesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

On this memorial of St. Monica, a mother who persevered many hardships in life, we are given readings that challenge us to walk the talk in the face of adversity. St. Monica patiently suffered the trials of life in order to lead her husband, mother-in-law and eventually her son, Augustine to Christianity. Monica’s main method of preaching to her family was by her steadfast example. The Pauline letter from which we read this week supports the Christian community in Thessalonica that was struggling through many trials. Not only were they being persecuted (2 Thes 1:4), but they had to deal with their own theological misunderstandings. Part of the difficulty the early Christian community faced was dealing with a belief that the second coming of Christ might be an imminent reality. The belief that Christ would return any day led some in the community to believe that it was no longer necessary to work (2 Thes 3:6). The community of Thessalonica is reminded of how when Paul, Silvanus and Timothy were in their midst that they worked “night and day, so as to not burden” anyone (3:8). The reasoning for their toil was to set a good example. “Anyone unwilling to work should not eat” (3:10). The reading goes so far as to challenge the people not to even consort with those who do not follow their model of behavior.

The responsorial psalm continues this theme by reminding us to walk in the ways of the Lord. It is in following the Lord faithfully and having a healthy fear of the Lord, that we will be blessed.

The Gospel today has some of the harshest words of Jesus that are found in scripture. Jesus rebukes the leaders of the faith because their actions and beliefs don’t match. The old slogan for the Canon Camera Company would be a fitting motto for the scribes and Pharisees in today’s gospel, “Image is Everything.” We need look no further than our current political climate to see how much focus our culture places on appearance.

For Jesus, outward appearances must connect inextricably with an inward reality. Matthew 23:28 makes it clear that Jesus sees righteous appearance or behavior as worthless if the interior of a person is filled with garbage. For Jesus, the inconsistency means the Pharisees bear witness against themselves.

As we reflect further on the scriptures today let us think of our own example. Would someone who met us today accuse us of being followers of Jesus? Does our outward appearance reflect an inward reality? What are the areas of filth that we try to whitewash? Let us ask the Lord today for the strength to be a holistic example of Christ’s presence in our lives. Then our eyes might be open to the prophets among us.

-Michael Montgomery