REFLECTIONS TODAY The temple in Jesus’ time is the Second Temple, built by the returnees from the Babylonian exile under the governor Zerubbabel and the priest Jeshua. Compared with the Temple of Solomon which was destroyed by the Babylonians, it was much inferior in the richness of its decorations because the builders were coming from exile. However, Herod the Great began a massive reconstruction of this temple, sparing no expense in producing a grand complex. When completely finished in 64 AD, it was a truly impressive sight. The temple and the altar are at the center of worship and sacrifice of the Jews, therefore “greater” than the gold and the gift offered there. But being “blind guides,” the Pharisees are unable to focus on the “weightier matters of the Law”: it is the temple that makes the rich gifts sacred, and not vice versa. The Pharisees’ focus on the gifts rather than the temple itself looks ridiculous, and turns more tragic. Unable to enter the Kingdom of heaven themselves because of this outlook, they prevent others from entering by inculcating the same outlook on people they teach.

GOSPEL • MATTHEW 23:13-22

Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves. “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.’ Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.’ You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it.” SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.