Gift of Jesus – Reflection on Matthew 23:13-22
What do you think of a hypocrite relative to faith? Has your faith attracted a hypocrite to your circle of friends? Learning to discern if someone you meet is honest and truthful or, if not, willing to change gracefully can be difficult. Removing yourself from these situations when you can tell they will continue to be a disruption is another challenge. Dealing with hypocrites is just one example of proving that to be a vessel for Divinity requires effort in the quest for holiness. Prayer, reflecting on Scripture, or engaging in thought that brings us peace, awe, or wonder helps us to become Christ-like. Within these moments of peace, aren’t you in a sacred sanctuary for you to be with God? In effect, isn’t where you are in thought or prayer a symbolic altar? The gift of Jesus at the altar with you is a blessing. He has risen from his throne to embrace you and wants you to embrace Him back in moments of peace and clarity and throughout your day.
Woe unto You Scribes and Pharisees by James Tissot (full resolution painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Matthew 23:13-22 – Scripture*
13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them. 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land to make a single convert, and you make the new convert twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.
16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.’ 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, ‘Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.’ 19 How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; 21 and whoever swears by the sanctuary, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it; 22 and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 23:13-22 Reflection – The Gift of Jesus.
Would you like to contribute thoughts related to these Lectio reflections of the Gospel readings or other contemplative material to this web-based ministry? Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Matthew 23 Bible passage.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Gift of Jesus
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