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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Woe to you, scribes and pharisees

Woe to you, scribes and pharisees

Published Aug 25, 2024 04:24 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

Today’s Gospel narrates Jesus’ confrontation with the scribes and the Pharisees, with the strong Greek word ouai, an interjection of denunciation that is normally translated in English as “Woe!” We need to understand that this interjection is not expressing a mere dislike or antagonistic attitude against an enemy but more appropriately indicates an expression of grief. Jesus is expressing his grief over the stubbornness of the scribes and the Pharisees. Jesus is challenging them to conversion, but their hearts are hardened. Their hypocrisy has already blinded them. They pretend to be leading the people while not really knowing where to go because their eyes focus on themselves alone. Jesus tries to unmask their hypocrisy, but they are resisting. Thus, we can now understand Jesus’ use of interjection of grief. Unmasking a person’s hypocrisy could be painful to the one being unmasked because it exposes the truth. While the truth could be hurtful, it sets people free. 


Do we now see Jesus’ grief over our stubbornness of heart? Do we prefer freedom to hypocrisy? What is in us that needs to be unmasked by Jesus?

 

First Reading • 2 Thes 1:1-5, 11-12


Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the Church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, as is fitting, because your faith flourishes ever more, and the love of every one of you for one another grows ever greater. Accordingly, we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God regarding your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the afflictions you endure.


This is evidence of the just judgment of God, so that you may be considered worthy of the Kingdom of God for which you are suffering.


We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,”  St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
 

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