Todays Gospel, Sermon, and Prayer 

August 27th, 2024

Gospel 

Matthew 23:23-26 

Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity.

But these you should have done, without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.”

Sermon

My brothers and sisters in Christ, today's Gospel passage presents us with another stern warning from Jesus to the scribes and Pharisees. He calls them hypocrites, blind guides, and blind Pharisees. Why? Because they have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment, mercy, and fidelity.

They focus on trivial matters, paying tithes of mint, dill, and cummin, while ignoring the more important aspects of their faith. They strain out the gnat, but swallow the camel. They cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.

Jesus is saying that the inside matters. It's not just about outward appearances, but about the condition of our hearts. We can't just focus on the external, neglecting the internal. We must cleanse the inside of the cup first, so that the outside may also be clean.

This passage teaches us that:

- Neglecting the weightier things of our faith can lead to hypocrisy

- Focusing on trivial matters can distract us from what truly matters

- The condition of our hearts is more important than outward appearances

- We must prioritize internal cleansing and transformation

As we reflect on this passage, let us ask ourselves:

- Are we neglecting the weightier things of our faith?

- Are we focusing too much on external appearances?

- Is our heart clean, or is it full of plunder and self-indulgence?

- Are we prioritizing internal transformation and cleansing?

May we heed Jesus' warning and focus on the inside matters. May we prioritize judgment, mercy, and fidelity, and may we seek to cleanse our hearts, that we may be transformed from the inside out.

Prayer

Let us pray: + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Almighty, merciful and loving God, We come before you, acknowledging the danger of hypocrisy in our lives. Forgive us for neglecting the weightier things of our faith and focusing on trivial matters.

Help us to prioritize judgment, mercy, and fidelity, and to seek internal cleansing and transformation. May we recognize that the condition of our hearts is more important than outward appearances.

Cleanse our hearts, Lord, and remove any plunder and self-indulgence that may be present. May we be transformed from the inside out, and may our outward lives reflect the beauty of your love and grace.

May we not be blind guides, straining out the gnat but swallowing the camel. Instead, may we see clearly and prioritize what truly matters.

We pray for those who are struggling with hypocrisy and superficiality. May they find the courage to seek internal transformation and cleansing.

May we heed Jesus' warning and focus on the inside matters, that we may be authentic disciples, reflecting your love and grace to a world in need.

In Jesus' most holy name we pray, Amen.

Additional prayer points:

- Ask for forgiveness for hypocrisy and superficiality

- Pray for prioritization of judgment, mercy, and fidelity

- Seek internal cleansing and transformation

- Ask for removal of plunder and self-indulgence

- Pray for clarity and discernment

- Pray for those struggling with hypocrisy and superficiality.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you,

Rev. Fr. Jhimerson Maneclang,SCJ