In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus has some not-so-nice things to say to the scribes and Pharisees. He refers to them as hypocrites, blind guides and blind Pharisees. All this while warning them about hypocrisy.
In the first reading today we’re in 1 Thessalonians 2. St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians about how he and his companions brought the Gospel to them. “Our exhortation was not from delusion or impure motives, nor did it work through deception…that is how we speak, not as trying to please men, but rather God, who judges our hearts. Nor, indeed, did we ever appear with flattering speech, as you know, or with a pretext for greed…”
St. Paul preached the gospel unadulterated, unabashedly and unashamedly. I’m sure there was a degree of “political correctness” in his day. But St. Paul had no time for such nonsense. He felt the urgent need to get the message out. That is how he spoke. Is that how we speak?
Father, give us the courage to share the gospel of your love with all, even those who may be hostile to it. May we speak it and live it today. Amen.
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