DAILY GOSPEL

«Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6,68

Wednesday, 17 October 2007

Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates : St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, St. Ignatius of Antioch

See commentary below or click here
Saint [Padre] Pio de Pietrelcina : "Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces."

Letter to the Romans 2,1-11.

Therefore, you are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment. For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things. We know that the judgment of God on those who do such things is true. Do you suppose, then, you who judge those who engage in such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you hold his priceless kindness, forbearance, and patience in low esteem, unaware that the kindness of God would lead you to repentance? By your stubbornness and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself for the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God, who will repay everyone according to his works: eternal life to those who seek glory, honor, and immortality through perseverance in good works, but wrath and fury to those who selfishly disobey the truth and obey wickedness. Yes, affliction and distress will come upon every human being who does evil, Jew first and then Greek. But there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, Jew first and then Greek. There is no partiality with God.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 11,42-46.

Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces. Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk." Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, "Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too." And he said, "Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.

Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB

Commentary of the day :

Saint [Padre] Pio de Pietrelcina (1887-1968), Capuchin friar
AP; CE 47

"Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces."

True humility of heart is more easily felt and lived than externalised. Naturally, we should always show ourselves humble in God's presence, but not with the false humility that only leads to discouragement, despondency and despair. We should have a low estimation of ourselves, not put our own interests before those of others and reckon ourselves of less importance than our neighbour.

If we need patience to bear with other people's troubles, we need even more to learn how to support our own. Faced with your daily infidelities, make acts of humility constantly. When the Lord sees you practising repentance in this way, he will stretch out his hand towards you and draw you to himself.

Nobody merits anything in this world; it is the Lord who grants us everything out of sheer kindness and because, in his infinite goodness, he forgives all things.

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