Petition: Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to be a man of principle, so that my thoughts and actions spring forth from the beliefs I profess with my lips.

 

"But woe to you Pharisees! for you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! for you love the best seat in the synagogues and salutations in the market places. Woe to you! for you are like graves which are not seen, and men walk over them without knowing it." One of the lawyers answered him, "Teacher, in saying this you reproach us also." And he said, "Woe to you lawyers also! for you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers."

 

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, living in perfect accord with what you want of me is a huge task, a lifelong project. I believe you want me to triumph in this effort, and I trust that you will uphold me and strengthen me in this great race you want me to run. Awaken my heart so I might always run this race inspired by love of you.

 

1. Jesus is no weak flower child

Christ hits hard when he confronts hypocrisy.

 

How could the Lord react otherwise? Deceitfulness and twisted intentions are the most despicable of sins, but when applied to the worship of God, these actions become more monstrous. If God is truth itself, how can he react otherwise? Divine love is demanding, and if human love can sometimes challenge our generosity, the divine is meant to help us straighten our bent-out-of-shape humanity.

 

2. Strength is admirable

When it is employed for moral actions.

 

Christ is so admirable because he acts, not on his own behalf, but out of love for the Father. We are easily moved to anger and outburst when we ourselves are offended, but that kind of outrage is reserved only for ourselves. The Lord teaches us to realign our valor so that we use it in God's service. But this requires that God be in first place in my life, not theoretically, but actually. I have to think about him, talk to him, get to know him - that way I will love him and begin to feel a profound closeness to him.

 

3. Use your fingers to lift burdens 

From others, not to lay more on them.

 

Some people see Christ's demands, the Church's laws and teachings on morality and truth and justice as "laying a heavy guilt trip on me." Christ does not deny the validity of the law, not even of the tithe of garden herbs. Our challenge is to see the Lord in these laws, and to understand the reasons which support them, and then to persuade others of their truth. "Persuade" comes from the Latin, meaning "to make sweet," so our witness is never overbearing, but inviting, appealing.

 

Conversation:

Lord, help me to be strong in giving witness to you, a witness of happiness, joy, self-giving. Help me to patiently uproot all that is evil within me so I can be a better reflection of your love and truth.

 

Resolution: To be joyful in my self-giving to Jesus Christ.