Daily Gospel Reflection for August 21, 2021

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Today’s Gospel begins a chapter filled with the “seven woes” in which Jesus condemns hypocrisy, greed, and self-indulgence. Sometimes it is difficult for me to relate to Jesus’ altercations with adversaries. I say to myself that these warnings do not apply to me. I am not like the Pharisees. I am not insincere or greedy or selfish. Jesus is talking to the Pharisees, not to me. After all, I would not know a phylactery if I fell over one.

Oh really?

Remember the times I felt annoyed that my neighbor did not attend church? He had no excuse, I said to myself. He was raised in the Church. He should know better. Oh yes, all these thoughts. Where are the prayers for him? Where are the conversations that might lead this wayfaring stranger back to Jesus?

One Sunday, our pastor told of an exchange he had with an intelligent young man about sin. Of course, the young man said, we must not say mean things or act unkindly. He then blurted out, “It is a good thing God does not hear our thoughts!”

We know the facts of the matter. God reads our minds! Haughty words that flit in our brain like mosquitoes, these are our phylacteries.

Ponder:

Can you place yourself in this scriptural reading? Can you see your own spiritual blindness and bring that to confession?

Pray:

Dear Jesus, grant clear vision that I might see myself as You see me. Take away my spiritual blindness that I may grow in holiness.

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God reads our minds! Haughty words that flit in our brain like mosquitoes, these are our phylacteries. #dailygospel

Copyright 2021 Kathryn Swegart