A Homily – The Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading – Malachi 1:14-2:2,8-10 ©

Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 130(131)

Second Reading – 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9,13 ©

Gospel Acclamation - 1saiah 3:9, John 6:68

Alternative Acclamation – Matthew 23:9, 10

The Gospel According to Matthew 23:1-12 ©

 

(NJB)

 

Listen!

 The admonishment the prophet issues is well-meant, do not allow yourself or your teaching and preaching to cause others to stumble; Malachi is also right to remind us that God, the creator of the universe, is the parent of us all.

 But know this:

 God does not curse anyone, curses are the province of human beings, of those with hard-hearts.

 Remember that God is not a Lord; God does not come at the head of a great host, God is not a general leading an army…rather God comes as a brother, like Jesus. God loves us like a parent loves a child. God loves us all without qualification.

 And know this:

 Adherence to the cult of animal sacrifice, even metaphorically, but also symbolically and ideologically, represents a deviation from the way. It is contemptible, though forgivable, to insist on its relevance.

 Be mindful.

 Everyone come to salvation, we all come as children of God; we are delivered by grace to the source of all being. We are called to have faith in this, to trust God, like an infant trusts their mother.

 Consider the words of the apostle.

 Treat those in your care like a mother looking after her children, for a mother’s love is boundless, and so is God’s for you.

 If you are a leader in your community then thank God for the faith of the people, for the faith that compels them to action; for trust they have placed in you to establish justice and sustain it in a spirit of humility, in the interest of mercy, and as an instrument of peace.

 Be mindful.

 If you are a servant of the way, the only reward you may expect for your service is peace, peace in this life, peace in the knowledge that you have lived, and done good for the sake of the good.

 God has prepared you for eternity, as God has prepared everyone.

 Eternal life is not a reward, it is a gift that God bestows on everyone.

 Do not chase after salvation, you are saved already. Allow yourself to experience that grace, and share it for the good news that it is.

 Consider the Gospel reading for today.

 Let us highlight these truths

 The way is one of humility.

 To follow he way is an act of love.

 We may have an obligation to follow social norms, and it costs us nothing to be polite in doing so, or in rejecting the if those norms are unjust.

 There may be a leader in your community who has earned a certain title, if that title facilitates the work of the community they should have it. It is unwise to shirk or eschew such offices, especially if good work may be done by maintaining such institutions. But do not seek those titles for yourself, or display them ostentatiously with badges, with the flourish of robes or costumes that encourage you to take on airs. In all tings be humble, walk humbly and perform a humble service.

 This is the way of God.

 First Reading – Malachi 1:14-2:2,8-10 ©

You Have Strayed From the Way; You Have Caused Many to Stumble by Your Teaching

I am a great king, says the Lord of Hosts, and my name is feared throughout the nations. And now, priests, this warning is for you. If you do not listen, if you do not find it in your heart to glorify my name, says the Lord of Hosts, I will send the curse on you and curse your very blessing. But you, you have strayed from the way; you have caused many to stumble by your teaching. You have destroyed the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of Hosts. And so I in my turn have made you contemptible and vile in the eyes of the whole people in repayment for the way you have not kept to my paths but have shown partiality in your administration.

  Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us? Why, then, do we break faith with one another, profaning the covenant of our ancestors?

 

Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 130(131)

Childlike trust in God

Unless you become like little children you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Lord, I do not puff myself up or stare about,   or walk among the great or seek wonders beyond me.

Truly calm and quiet I have made my spirit:

Quiet as a weaned child in its mother’s arms – like an infant is my soul.

Let Israel hope in the Lord, now and for all time.

Unless you become like little children you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Childlike trust in God

 

Second Reading – 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9,13 ©

We Were Eager to Hand Over to You Not Only the Good News but Our Whole Lives

Like a mother feeding and looking after her own children, we felt so devoted and protective towards you, and had come to love you so much, that we were eager to hand over to you not only the Good News but our whole lives as well. Let me remind you, brothers, how hard we used to work, slaving night and day so as not to be a burden on any one of you while we were proclaiming God’s Good News to you.

  Another reason why we constantly thank God for you is that as soon as you heard the message that we brought you as God’s message, you accepted it for what it really is, God’s message and not some human thinking; and it is still a living power among you who believe it.

 

Gospel Acclamation - 1saiah 3:9, John 6:68

Alleluia, alleluia!

Speak, Lord, your servant is listening:

You have the message of eternal life.

Alleluia!

 

Alternative Acclamation – Matthew 23:9, 10

Alleluia, alleluia!

You have only one Father, and he is in heaven; you have only one Teacher, the Christ.

Alleluia!

 

The Gospel According to Matthew 23:1-12 ©

They Do Not Practise What They Preach

Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.

  ‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’

 

A Homily – The Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time